Case History - Children 'at risk'

Thursday 17th July 2008

A Pupil Referral Unit in Martley, Worcestershire, has taken its first steps towards incorporating music into its work with students, thanks to LMN and a grant from Classic FM Music Makers.

Bella Tromba trumpet quartet worked in small groups with children who had been permanently excluded from school. The big unknown was how the young people would react to 'classical' instruments and performers. Any doubts were dispelled as the musicians got to know the young people and established a cooperative working relationship with them.

In spite of the contrast between Bella Tromba's mix of Renaissance and Baroque music and the students' normal choice of drum and bass, they succeeded in finding some common ground. A sense of trust enabled pupils to feel in their 'comfort zone' as well as push barriers to experience and learn new skills. The musicians had all sorts of trumpets with them, old and new, high and low. They also did some rhythm games: football chants that loop around creating cross rhythms between two teams of players and eventually resolve. Finally, the students created and performed a piece of music to a section of the film 'The Fugitive', using percussion instruments and directing the quartet by singing or expressing ideas.

The young people participating in this project presented a range of emotional and behavioural difficulties and differing degrees of concentration. Many exhibited particularly challenging behaviour, and it was down to the musicians, with support from the PRU staff, to find ways to encourage their participation in the music, as well as interacting within the group.

Following the workshops, staff and musicians were able to track benefits amongst the young people including:

• Increased self esteem
• Improved concentration
• New skills developed through a new experience
• Improved listening skills
• Better approach to team work
• Raised self-confidence

Individual students' experiences show how their involvement in music highlighted and encouraged new skills which may not necessarily have been previously apparent. One boy was invited to conduct the musicians in a piece of music - this had a noticeable affect on his concentration, determination to achieve and sense of success giving him a control and responsibility he had not previously experienced. In another session, a girl was offered the opportunity to try out a trumpet - she played a tune really beautifully and clearly had a natural gift for the instrument. The PRU is keen to help her pursue her new found talent.

The project was really positive. All the pupils were engaged - it was a completely different experience for them and raised their confidence in so many ways.
Kay Hamilton, Head Of Centre, Martley Pupil Referral Unit