Music therapy in schools

Many of the MusicSpace team spend at least part of their week working in schools. Music therapy is perhaps traditionally associated with special schools but is increasingly being used around the country in mainstream settings. One of the challenges of working in schools is defining what we do and explaining how it differs from teaching. Music therapists use music as their main means of communicating with the child or young person and the aims are non-musical and therapeutic, rather than the development of musical skills.

Our aims will vary according to the needs of the child or young person but our work often includes developing interaction and early communication skills for example eye-contact, shared attention, imitation and turn-taking. This can be particularly valuable for pupils with autism.

Some music therapy sessions may focus more on meeting emotional needs, providing a space where difficult feelings can be expressed non-verbally and accepted, listened to and thought about. Using music allows the therapist to respond so that the child or young person is able to feel heard and supported.

Group work is a very enjoyable part of our week and focuses on developing social awareness and skills such as waiting and listening. Each of these areas will contribute to a child’s openness to learning and complements the school curriculum.

“Through the skilled knowledge of sound and vibrations the therapist is able to help the child make sense of an often harsh and confusing world. Music therapy provides order and structure at the most fundamental, emotional level through connecting with the child’s non-rational, reactive and responsive senses. For many pupils I teach i.e. those with global developmental delay plus additional difficulties like autism, visual impairment, emotional or behavioural difficulties, the medium of music connects with the inner child. It is often the key which opens the door to further learning.” Deputy Head Teacher, special school

A growing area of our work is with children and young people who are experiencing difficulties in mainstream school or who are on the exclusion register. MusicSpace offers short-term or longer-term sessions providing a supportive framework for exploring issues or problems that may be difficult to talk about such as anger, anxiety, feeling withdrawn, bullying, being bullied or being bereaved.

“I never knew I could play a piano but with your help I have learned how to… when I get angry I will think of you and all the good times to stop me lashing out…” young person referred for music therapy for anger management