The original introductory training introduced teachers to practical ways of using music to support learning, communication and emotional wellbeing for children with additional needs who attend the school.


Following encouraging reports that staff have continued to embed these approaches into their daily practice, Sarah and Katy are returning to observe the progress made, offer further guidance, and support teachers to build on their skills and confidence in using music to meet the needs of their students.
 
Support visits are an important part of our approach to ensuring the impact of our training is sustainable. Providing ongoing support enables us to build long-term partnerships that empowers our Partners to develop their confidence and independent music programmes over time.


During the visit, Sarah and Katy will observe how music is being used one year on, offer tailored guidance, and help teachers reflect on the progress they have made. Together, they will explore new ideas and address any challenges, ensuring that the skills introduced last year continue to grow and evolve within the school community.


As Sarah looked forward to seeing how the teachers have developed their practice over the past year, she said:

I’m most looking forward to catching up with the wonderful staff and children at the school, hearing about how their year has been and sharing music together again. 

I’m really looking forward to seeing how they’ve developed and shaped using Music as Therapy in their school since the initial training. Next week, I hope to be able to provide encouragement and support them with continuing to do this. 

I see this trip being different from our last visit mainly because we are meeting with the staff having had nearly a year experiencing taking the Music as Therapy sessions in the school. I think these five days in the school will be a chance to reflect together on how staff have found facilitating the sessions, celebrate what they’ve sustained and think together about what has perhaps been more challenging. As well as thinking about what could be next for their use of Music as Therapy!

Katy added:

I’m really excited for the opportunity to return to Bombolulu and I hope this visit will further support staff to continue the programme with confidence. I am most looking forward to observing how the staff have incorporated their own approaches to practising music as therapy, and hearing their reflections on how the programme has shaped their relationships with the children.

As this visit is only a week long, I hope our focus on meeting staff where they are and  championing  their existing practice will support the programme to remain a sustainable, long-term part of their everyday teaching.

This visit is just one activity that sits within the scope of our strategic goal to ‘Secure the future of music in care for people in vulnerable situations’.

By returning to Bombolulu School of Promise and investing in the ongoing development of the teachers’ use of music, we are working towards music remaining a sustainable and powerful resource to support children’s wellbeing and development long after our volunteers return home.