Singing is Accessible for all

Sing Up has made the decision to re-launch Beyond the Mainstream as Accessible Learning.

Between 2009-2011, Sing Up Beyond the Mainstream built a number of partnerships with specialist organisations around the country and developed projects, training and resources to encourage singing with children who either weren’t in mainstream education, or children who found accessing mainstream education difficult.

Examples included working with the National Children’s Bureau, to support 11 projects nationally who ‘promoted the well being of looked after children through singing’; British Sign Language signed song videos, with Music and the Deaf; songs which can be streamed into assistive technology for children with physical disabilities with Drake Music; and signed song videos and resources with the Makaton Charity.  

In talking with our valued partners about the re-launch it became clear that Accessible Learning is a more accurate representation of this area of work.  Through its Accessible Learning strategy, Sing Up will make sure that all training and resources on offer promote an inclusive approach to singing in the classroom – be it in mainstream, Special Educational Needs or Pupil Referral Unit settings.

Sing Up also aims to build on the resources already available on the Song Bank, and develop packages of training in partnership with specialists in this area and build upon the great work developed through Beyond the Mainstream in the first chapter of the programme.

We are delighted that our partners support our Accessible Learning launch, and here's what some of them had to say:

Lysa Schwartz, Chief Executive Officer of the Makaton Charity said, “Accessible Learning is more reflective of the work that Sing Up is doing, its purpose and the impact it is having”.

Clare Hunt, Freelance Music Specialist and Trainer, fed back to us that the term ‘accessible’ effectively indicates that Sing Up is “open and completely committed to giving all children singing opportunities, whatever their needs and circumstances.”

Dr Paul Whittaker OBE, Artistic Director of Music and the Deaf, has worked with Sing Up for the past four years. He said, “We are delighted to endorse the new Accessible Learning name and trust this will encourage and deliver a more inclusive approach to the work of Sing Up. All children should have the opportunity to sing, sign and make music, and Accessible Learning will provide a valuable resource that enables access, equality and a life-long love of music and singing”.

You can still access information regarding Beyond the Mainstream past projects, as well as our Final Evaluation on this site.

If you would like more information on the organisations we have worked with, you can check out their respective websites:

• National Children’s Bureau
• Music and the Deaf
• Drake Music
• The Makaton Charity

Keep your eyes peeled for further information about up and coming Accessible Learning projects and training opportunities. In the mean time, have a read of this inspirational SEN Platinum School.