Sensory Connections: Music at Swiss Cottage School

Tactile textures, jingling bells, and nativity tales were among the sensory highlights brought to 8-10 year olds in our latest project at Swiss Cottage school. Delivered by Young Artists: Lily Harwood (violin) and Josh Allen (tuba), the 10-week project helped to foster fun and friendship in the run-up to the festive period. Supporting Lily and Josh at this community-maintained specialist school, was Company Liveryman, Ann Redfearn.

“Working with students with profound and multiple learning disabilities (PMLD) brings unique challenges,” says Ann, who has been involved in the Company’s music education programme since 2012. “Many have limited mobility—some are confined to standing frames or wheelchairs—and may not communicate using normal communications like speech or sounds. Recognising subtle cues, such as the flicker of the eye or slight muscle tension, can often be the only way to tell if they are happy and engaged.”

With this in mind, the sessions were designed to be highly sensory and began with a sea theme. Underwater images and sounds set the scene as Josh created gurgling tuba noises and Lily mimicked flowing seaweed on her violin. Props like fish, octopuses, and a blue blanket represented water, while a spray water bottle created a sea mist effect. Sea-themed songs including “My Bonnie Lies Over the Ocean” and “Once I Caught a Fish Alive,” added to the immersive experience.

“The students loved the sessions. [Staff] reported the sessions had a huge impact on the students and left them wanting more!”
Steve Barnett, music teacher, Swiss Cottage

This multi-sensory approach continued in the next theme involving a woodland adventure and bear hunt. Using props, music and storytelling, the class pretended to cross rivers, squelch through mud, and navigate a forest of crinkly leaves, accompanied by songs such as “Old MacDonald Had a Farm” and “The Teddy Bears’ Picnic”. The pupils, helped by their learning assistants, were invited to join in by playing percussion instruments including sleigh bells, shakers and ocean drums.

Proving music is for everyone regardless of ability, the pupils were introduced to composing. Josh and Lily worked closely with each student, playing music that mirrored their movements, whether it was a moving leg or a blinking eye. The aim was to make the students feel in control of the music, with the music and tempo syncing with the students’ moods and actions. Josh added a tactile element by letting each “conductor” feel the tuba’s vibrations.

Christmas came early for this class, and by November, it had embraced a festive theme. Along with a nativity tale, the class listened to the story of The Snowman, accompanied with stills of the snowman and instrumental sounds. The classroom even had a parachute, which was waved through the air to mimic the snowman walking in the air. This was set to Christmas songs and the pupils and their assistants joining in with percussion instruments such as hand bells.

Ann says: “This wonderful project brought joy to the classroom, giving the pupils a chance to engage with music and storytelling in a fun, interactive way. One particularly special moment was when a pupil who had seemed uninvolved suddenly sprang to life and engaged with the music. It was a remarkable breakthrough – hard-won, but moments like this make these projects all the more worthwhile.”

 

Interview by Suzy Willmott