SEND

Music and singing is for everyone and we believe that it is an important part of our teachers' roles to remove any barriers to music making and singing for all children including those with special educational needs.  

Music and singing in particular has the power to break down barriers, but it can also present barriers for some children. With singing this needs particularly close attention, as the use of words, and of the voice at all, can be difficult for some children. Reading and notation can also present challenges, as can the social setting of group singing and the perceived vulnerability of our own individual singing voices. However, there are ways around all of these potential obstacles, and singing can be a hugely inspiring, motivating and positive experience for all.

SEND is a catch-all term covering a very wide range of needs. The SEND code of practice defines four main areas of need:

• Communication and interaction
• Social and emotional
• Cognition and learning
• Sensory

In reality, these areas are likely to overlap, and children may be affected to different degrees across different areas of learning. Every child is so unique in their ways to engage and respond that no categorisation can completely and adequately inform our approach. We find the best ways to connect with individuals is simply through getting to know them.