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It was a musical spring term in Manchester, as eight students from the Royal Northern College of Music (RNCM) undertook creative music placements at schools across the region. Having attended training with us in November, they shadowed Jessie’s Fund musicians and put their new skills into practice supporting sessions and making musical connections with pupils. The projects have had a profound impact on both the RNCM students and the children and young people in the settings:
“I feel significantly more confident working with children who have SEND, an experience that will be extremely valuable for my future practice as a music educator both in schools and in community or extracurricular settings. This placement has given me practical insight into how to adapt musical activities to meet a range of abilities and needs, and how to create an inclusive and supportive environment where all children can participate and enjoy music.” (Eleanor, RNCM student)
“I was particularly moved by the way every child was included, especially those with more complex needs who were given the time and space to participate fully. Hearing children continuing to sing “Sambalele” outside the sessions really showed me how deeply the music resonated with them.” (Rick Hilton, Prospect House Primary School)
“Jessie’s Fund coming in was mind blowing for our pupils and staff. Over the course of our time with Dave, Tom, Eleanor and Miles, pupils became at ease with them. It was lovely to witness the interactions that came from having such wonderful communicative and patient people coming into our space.” (Hazel Mendieta, teacher at Lancasterian School)
Thank you to the RNCM students, our musicians, our partners at the RNCM and all the students and staff in the schools for making the projects a success, and to The Promenaders’ Musical Charities for funding the projects.
