Music Management

Leanring to manage emotions, improve behaviour and develop through music. 

In 2016 our programme has seen over 50 pupils return back to mainstream education during the academic year from a Pupil Refferal Unit.  The magnitude of that figure may only become real when we compare that to the number of returners to mainstream education before our music programme at the PRU which was 4 pupils. Why is the programme so successful? In the words of Jada, an EOTO student, “It calms me down when I am angry, I just play and I feel better” and thats the starting point. For many children, they find themselves at the school because of their behaviour, so a programme that not only helps the chidlren express themselves, but also empowers them though the learning of a musical instrument and as a by product improves behaviour has the hallmarks of success.

We set out at the beginning of 2016, not enteirely sure what to expect. In fact, we had a good idea that the programme would have a psotive impact, and the small batch pilots demonstrated better behviour, but to witness the kind of improvement that helps a significant number of children return back into mainstream education was certainly beyond our expectations. We were not fully preapred for this, and as a result needed to change the outcomes we were measuring as a result. It also meant that we needed to change the way the new outcomes were being captured. Not sure if this is something many arts based charities experience or not, but the result of what happens compared to the expectations of what could happen can sometimes differ. In our case that was a positive surprise, but a surprise none the less. 

Next time round though, we are approaching the coming term with a wide possible range of outcomes, prepared for positive and negative outcomes that may not have been on the radar, and preparing potential monitorting tools just in case. 

The outcomes that have pleased us the most, are the ones relating to the children leanring to manage their emotions through music. To establish a way of expressing themselves through songwriting, and that process having an affect on beahviour has been the most satiasfying aspect of seeing the journey for a profound and brave group of children.