SAM (Simple Accessible Music)
This is a Music Technology Course for pupils in years 5 and 6 which introduces children to the creative potential of music software. The courses have been funded 100% by Plymouth Music Education Hub since 2018.
Just as importantly, the course provides CPD to the class teacher (not normally a music specialist), to enable them to deliver the project themselves in the future.
The project is delivered by the Inclusive Music Academy – an organisation with a proven track record of inspirational work in schools across the country. Feedback from all previous projects has been overwhelmingly positive. The sessions have been hugely popular with pupils and teachers (mainly non music specialists). The quality of the online tutorials is excellent and they provide all the necessary support for teachers to deliver lessons themselves.
This video provides a very brief introduction to the free Bandlab software, and how it can be used in education
During the pandemic we switched to live online delivery (the tutor joined the class virtually to lead the lessons) to avoid the risks associated with visits to multiple schools.
This worked successfully from September 2020 and allowed the project to continue despite Covid restrictions.
Happily the project is now again being delivered face-to-face in schools from September 2021.
Quotes from Teachers
“The online resources were a great support when starting to teach music at this level as a non specialist and gave me the knowledge and guidance to teach high quality lessons”
“A superb experience that both the staff and children in school have benefited from. Thank you so much for supporting us to develop our curriculum now and into the future.”
“The interactive teaching guide and working with Phil has been the best CPD opportunity I’ve had in a very long time.”
“Phil’s support has been brilliant alongside the resource which is
comprehensive and easy to follow. I will definitely be using GarageBand again, the children have been so engaged and enthused its brought a lot of fun into the classroom. As well as fantastic opportunities for cross curricular links.”
Since inception in 2018 the project has run in 27 Plymouth schools: Oreston, Borringdon, MAP2, Weston Mill, Prince Rock, College Road, Glen Park, Yealmpstone Farm, Chaddlewood, Pennycross, Widey Court, Oakwood, Compton, St Matthews, Holy Cross, Mount Street, Plympton St Maurice, St Peter’s, Hooe, Mill Ford, Marlborough, Hooe, Beechwood, St Budeaux and Pomphlett
