Short Stay Schools
Since 2010, CYMAZ has been developing a partnership with Caradon Short Stay School, one of the 6 Short Stay Schools in Cornwall. Short Stay Schools are education units which provide a learning environment for children and young people who struggle with mainstream education and may have been excluded on a short or long term basis. Provision in Short Stay Schools is much more focused on individual pathways of learning and support.
CYMAZ has an aspiration to ensure that structured, progressive and educational music making opportunities are part of the curriculum in every Short Stay School in Cornwall. We also know that music is an excellent way to acheive other areas of the school curriculum, increases confidence, self-esteem, communication and social skills. Click here to read more about research into music with children and young people not in education, employment or training or at risk of exclusion, on the Youth Music Network website ‘Resources’ area.
The Deputy Head at Caradon Short Stay School said;
“Before working with CYMAZ there was no music on our curriculum. There was no equipment and limited experience in teaching music. We now have purchased drums, guitars, recording equipment and CYMAZ provides weekly music and lyric workshop sessions for all students. Key stage 2, 3 and 4 students now have the opportunity to take part in weekly music sessions every Monday morning.
This has proved to be incredibly successful. Most of our students have highly complex learning and behavioural difficulties, but all of them have engaged positively.
One of our students, who has to be taught 1:1 due to his difficulties working with peers, has stated that music is the ‘highlight of the week’.
The level of confidence and willingness to take risks in all our students has increased during these sessions. The CYMAZ music leaders now have our students trying new ideas with musical instruments, writing lyrics and even singing along.
Music leaders have noted improvements in co-ordination and rhythmic awareness, and that some students have gone from not being able to play drums at all to holding down a beat. Others who could already play have broadened their repertoire. All in all a fantastic addition to our curriculum that has enhanced the experience of our students. ”
He goes to to describe the impact on one particular student in the unit;
“‘L’ could already play drums but his confidence was low. He would start playing then stop and quickly become frustrated with himself. As the sessions have gone on ‘L’ has grown in confidence. He now understands that it is ok to get things wrong when playing music, and that this should not stop him playing altogether. His playing is more self assured and he focuses on playing rather than self doubt. His time keeping and awareness of space as well as technique have also improved.
It is hoped that ‘L’ will record a song he has created in collaboration with his music leader, and in doing so will complete coursework for his OCR National Level 2 qualification in ICT. This will eventually lead to a qualification worth 2 GCSE’s grade C or above.
Music could prove to be a real life changing experience for ‘L’. It is hoped that the positive experiences that start here may help him to avoid problems out of school.”
A CYMAZ music leader reported on the importance of a good relationship with teaching staff;
“I really enjoyed the session and felt that I made very positive relationships with some of the newer teachers I have only met this term. This is important as with the younger one’s each young person has their own teacher/ teaching assistant so they are also very much apart of the sessions. It was great to informally chat about the work we were hoping to achieve and build up a relationship with the staff.’ (CYMAZ Music Leader, Caradon Short Stay School)
