We are delighted to share a powerful and insightful interim evaluation report that highlights how sustained involvement in music-making can have a positive impact on young people’s attainment, engagement and wellbeing during their school life. We are especially proud that our work at Rosewood Free School features as a Case Study in this report.
http://network.youthmusic.org.uk/researches/exchanging-notes-interim-report-year-3
Exchanging Notes is a four-year action research project, funded by Youth Music (national charity investing in music-making projects for children and young people experiencing challenging circumstances) with Birmingham City University appointed to carry out evaluation of the programme. Exchanging Notes explores pioneering new partnerships between schools and music providers, of which SoCo Music Project are leading one of seven projects in the country.
At SoCo Music Project we are working in partnership with two school settings in Southampton. Our experienced team of music leaders are working closely with subject specialists, class teachers and support staff to develop nurturing and creative environments, new resources and teaching models to support young people’s musical development and wider outcomes. At Rosewood Free School, where students have profound and multiple learning difficulties, many sessions are one-to-one, tailored around individual needs. At the Inclusion Unit at Woodlands Community College, young people at risk of exclusion have worked towards individual learning plans with activities including music technology, instrument tuition, composition and songwriting.
Our journey so far has been a challenging one at times, amidst funding cuts and pressure of schools’ performance measures that, in some cases are squeezing the arts out of education, but it has been heartening to witness and evidence some phenomenal and life-changing outcomes relating to young people’s musical, educational and social development.
For more information about our work through Exchanging Notes please visit here
The Exchanging Notes programme comes to an end this summer, but this project is just the tip of the iceberg of SoCo Music Project’s engagement programmes for young people in challenging circumstances and vulnerable adult groups in Southampton and the wider Hampshire area. We deliver programmes that transform lives for the better; using music as a powerful tool to develop skills, nurture creativity and improve the wellbeing of our participants. We strive towards increased inclusion and connectivity and as we develop our work to further increase access and participation we are keen to explore new partnerships and work programmes.
For more information about our programmes, and specifically Exchanging Notes, please contact Marie Negus
