Sarah Share
Anna Wolloff
SEND Schools
Welcome to the Leicestershire Music SEND page
There are numerous ways that we can support Headteachers, Music co-ordinators and teachers of music.
Please click here to read our Autumn 2024 SEND Newsletter.
If you would like any support, have any questions or want to find out more about what we can do for SEND schools, please contact us!
Sarah Share – Schools Engagement
Anna Wolloff – Music Leader for SEND Schools
Our vision for SEND
- To give all pupils in SEN settings access to musical activities & live performances
- All pupils to have access to a high quality Music curriculum in school
- To offer extra curricular musical opportunities for children with additional learning needs
Leicestershire Music (LM) works closely with Leicestershire Music Hub partners to enable us to offer high quality music-making experiences to SEND pupils and ensure our pupils reach their full potential.
LM have highly experienced Lead Practitioners who, alongside their current school teaching role deliver bespoke teaching in SEND schools and offer support to other SEND schools in Leicester City and Leicestershire.
Our SEND Scheme of Work was nominated as an 'outstanding SEND resource' and got through to the final of the Music Teacher Awards for Excellence 2019.
We share updates and useful training at the termly network meetings. For information on SEND Network Meetings and to book your place, please click here. We look forward to seeing you at the next meeting.
We strive to ensure there is equality and inclusivity at the heart of their work in music education. We are always keen to hear new ideas on ways to expand our work with SEND pupils.
If you have an initiative that you would like to involve us in, please email LMSEND@leics.gov.uk
Please click on a heading below to access further information.
Please click on a title below to access further SEND Opportunities & Resources
SEND Schools Song Album - Where the River Flows
SEND - Extra-curricular music making activities for young people with additional needs
Menphys Music
Our Menphys Music for children, young people and their families takes place every Tuesday during term time, 4:30pm to 5:30pm. The clubs provide the opportunity to make music with an experienced SEND music leader, these include building 'beats', writing songs and sing-a-long sessions.
Menphys Music allows children and their siblings and parents/carers to meet up in a friendly, supportive, needs-led environment and learn skills that can be replicated at home.
The club costs £3.50 for the child and £1 for siblings per Tuesday and is led by a Music Leader with vast experience supporting all young people with SEND across lots of additional needs. The club includes a wide range of activities that are designed to not only be fun but develop musical and social communication skills, whilst providing a safe space for young people to make music with no judgement. The skills learnt in the group can be delivered at home fostering growth in music-making in the home.
For more information and to register, please click here
Leicestershire Soundabout Choir
The choir, which initially started on Zoom, welcomes people of all abilities and ages to create a musical community without barriers.
Rehearsals take place on alternate Saturdays from 11:00am-12:00pm, with a live session every half term. These live sessions will be at The Attenborough Arts Centre, University of Leicester, Lancaster Rd, Leicester LE1 7HA.
The choir is co-directed by Anna Wolloff & Grace Davey who encourage all members to contribute ideas for repertoire, and to build up confidence to lead on particular songs. As a result the music we perform is very varied. There are always lots of opportunities for performance, both recorded/in the media and live.
For more information and to register, please click here
Kirin Taiko
Kirin Taiko is an inclusive group run by Kate and Sam from Leicester Taiko, and Simon from Talking Rhythms. We give you the chance to dip your toes into Japanese culture through the exciting art form of taiko drumming. The group will improve your musical and performance skills, boost your confidence, and you may even come away with a few Japanese phrases!
For more information and to register, please click here
SEND Youtube Learning Resources - Jam-Along with Carrie & Mowkee
Why not Jam-Along with Carrie & Mowkee - Fun Music to join in with.
A weekly 8-lesson SEND resource for use at school or at home using the improvise approach. You can join in however you feel is right for you. You might want to sing, use body percussion, your voice, an app or use items from around your home.
Just have fun making music alongside Carrie & Mowkee. Perhaps you can persuade someone else to join in making music with you?
PDF's to accompany each video are available using links posted in the descriptions on Youtube.
Please click here to access the Youtube Playlist containing all 8 weeks
Soundbeam & Skoog Hire
Soundbeam hire and project details:
Leicestershire Music have extended their offer with Soundbeams to SEN settings. We currently have 6 Soundbeams that are available to be used in Leicestershire Schools.
For those who are unaware of what Soundbeam is, please check out this YouTube clip to give you an idea of what Soundbeam is and its capabilities within the classroom.
Soundbeam 6 demonstration
Schools are using the units to introduce students to different sound fields, to develop their topic work, and as a resource across the whole school. Within SLD and MLD settings, It develops improvisation, composition and arranging skills when working in a group, and within PMLD settings, it is an excellent resource to enable music making for students with limited movements and allows students autonomy where some conventional instruments cannot.
Work at Dorothy Goodman has proved successful, with the unit being used across the school 'The sound beam has been a valuable resource in enabling students of all ages and abilities to access a vibrant and varied curriculum, not just within music, without barriers to their learning' – Mark Wilson, teacher.
Option 1 - Soundbeam loan
Half a term | £80 |
Full term | £150 |
Academic year | £400 |
Option 2 - Soundbeam Project
The cost includes the loan of the Soundbeam and the project can be themed to fit the school curriculum and tailored to the needs of your students
3 x ½ day workshops PLUS Soundbeam loan for ½ term, plus a free initial project planning meeting | £130 |
6 x ½ day workshops PLUS Sound beam loan for full term, plus a free initial project planning meeting | £200 |
Staff training 1 ½ hours for up to 6 staff | £60 |
To book a Soundbeam loan or a Soundbeam project please email LMSEND@leics.gov.uk
This is excellent value considering the price of a new Soundbeam (currently £3525).
This resource has the potential to be used across school to enhance all aspect of the curriculum.
TEACHING RESOURCE FOR SOUNDBEAM
'Teaching Music with Soundbeam' is a completely new set of seven modules, designed to enable non-specialist teachers and others to deliver inclusive and easy-to-follow classroom activities using any version of Soundbeam. The resource is authored by David Ashworth, one of the UK's leading experts in the field of music and SEN.
https://static1.squarespace.com/static/56d802d962cd9424aa8b5eb7/t/644a4aed6be9dc4237f7d15c/1682590448377/Teaching+Music+With+Soundbeam_Compendium.pdf
Please click here to read a Soundbeam Project Report.
Skoog
Skoog makes instrumental playing fun and easy to get started. You can play Skoog with any part of the body; hands, elbows, feet – which makes it incredibly accessible. Skoog works with iPad, so you can play, jam and create music using the Skoog app or existing apps like GarageBand.
Cost - £50 to Hire a set for one academic year.
For more information on Skoog, please visit https://skoogmusic.com/
Video: https://youtu.be/2pzshgTiZD4
Artsmark
Artsmark is the creative quality standard for schools, accredited by Arts Council England. It provides a clear framework for teachers to plan, develop and evaluate arts, culture and creativity across the curriculum.
Leicester-Shire Music Education Hub is an Artsmark partner organisation, and can support schools in applications for silver, gold or platinum status. Most schools in the city are already engaging with music hub activities, so chances are you already have some excellent evidence for meeting Artsmark criteria.
Whole Class Ensemble Tuition, VocalEase, Music Tuition Centres, signposting young people to the central ensembles, attending CPD and taking part in our large scale performances are ways in which schools can offer children musical opportunities that support schools in their Artsmark application.
The LSMS Music Quality Mark gives Headteachers and Music coordinators opportunity to reflect on the current music provision, gain support matched to schools needs and celebrate with a bronze, silver or gold Quality Mark, all free of charge with trained Music Consultant.
Get in touch with us for help and advice about using music hub initiatives as part of your Artsmark application. For more information about Artsmark, click here or contact The Mighty Creatives for support with the application process.
The Short Guide to Accessible Music Education
The Short Guide to Accessible Music Education is the only guide of its kind in the UK. Compiled by Emma Lines (Drake Music Scotland) and Jonathan Westrup (Drake Music). Through partnership with the Music Education Council ASN/SEND Working Group, the aim of the document is to provide a one-stop-shop signposting to organisations, initiatives, research documents and more around the subject of accessible music education.
Please click here to access The Short Guide to Accessible Music Education
Teaching Music with Garageband for iPad
