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Sing Up’s Vocal Force has teamed up with Knowsley, Liverpool and Sefton Music Services to develop a training project focusing on KS1 singing, linking to emotional development and SEN.
No train no gain
In the initial stages of the project, members of staff from schools across the three authorities identified areas where training would be valuable. From this, Vocal Force Merseyside and Music Unlimited devised a series of training days for adults working with vulnerable groups of primary-age students, to encourage engagement and participation through movement and play.
A special course using Sing Up Pyramid Packs was delivered to supplement this training, with the packs aimed at helping children who are facing difficulties in their social and emotional development.
The ultimate reward
The success of a project like this lies in how the teachers and students receive and implement their learning. Training participant and Music Co-ordinator at Springwood Heath Primary School, Lynne Hudson, said: “This training has enhanced the children's learning through building their confidence … and provided a bank of musical activities and songs which can be easily delivered for children with special educational needs.”
Project co-ordinator, Vicky Harris said that during the on-site lessons, the students responded with overwhelming enthusiasm: “one little boy who is shy and has very limited communication skills really came into his own when handed a microphone. He was obviously fascinated by hearing his own voice and this encouraged him to participate in a way that he would not usually do.”
Final stages
Vocal Force Merseyside are currently in the final stages of the project and working on resources focused on topics such as counting, body awareness and nursery rhymes.
Mo Lovatt, Sing Up Vocal Force Project Manager is thrilled with the project’s progress so far: “Vocal Force Merseyside has been, and continues to be, a really wonderful example of how a Vocal Force project has encouraged a number of Music Services to work collaboratively in a way that they hadn’t done previously. We now have a potentially long-term, sustainable way of working that can enhance the musical fabric of Merseyside.”
The project culminated in a celebration event, ‘Sunshine in My Heart’, on Thursday 17th March at the Suites Hotel in Knowsley. Three schools from each area will performed a song of their choice and participated in a mass sing as a finale. All other schools who have been involved in the project were invited to attend.
The concert was an uplifting experience, bringing sunshine to the hearts of all involved.
Tips to take away
- Try the Pyramid Pack out for yourself, or explore some of our other SEN resources
- Take advantage of our specialized training workshops for children with learning disabilities and special needs
- Find out more about how singing aids emotional development
- Get some advice on leading singing in SEN settings
*The Vocal Force project has now ended
Mrs Hadwin Report this comment
Posted 22nd Mar 2011 08:16
I attended this event with my Y2 singing group. This was one of the loveliest music events I have attended for a while. It was really obvious from all of the children's engagement when singing and performing that it has been a fantastic project that many SEN and K.S.1 children have benefitted from in all sorts of ways,not just musically. Thank you Vicky Harris and Sue Mann for all your hard work. Janice Hadwin