Inclusive Creativity and Music Training
During Summer term 2025, DIY was commissioned by Salford Cultural Education Partnership (CEP) to work in partnership with learners and staff at Chatsworth High School and Salford’s Music and Performing Arts Service (MAPAS) to explore the ways in which inclusive music and creativity can support teaching and learning across the curriculum.
The ‘Playing Together’ project was led by inclusive music specialist and DIY Associate Artist Sarah Atter and supported by DIY Leader Amy Carter. Members of DIY’s Core Company shared their experience of working with inclusive music and creativity during a CPD session with school staff. This builds on the inclusive music skills we are developing as a company during our Youth Music-funded ‘You’ve Got a Friend’ programme.
We worked with some amazing learners from two very different classes. The first group of sensory learners explored the theme of ‘going on a picnic’ using lots of songs, rhythms, sensory props and objects. Ten learners achieved their ‘Discover’ Arts Award through the project.
The second group of learners with Autism (ASC) worked in one-to-one sessions with Sarah Atter based on the ‘Intensive Interaction’ communication approach. Five learners in this group achieved the Trinity Music Development Award which is based on the ‘Sounds of Intent’ Framework.
“One of our big aims is communication and independent communication so music is a really good strong tool that promotes that independent communication from the vast majority of our students.”
Will Nice, Teacher
“They can make choices through music and I think that’s really important because the students that I teach they do not have a lot of control in their lives and I think allowing them to have control and ownership of their learning their expression, their choice-making is so important.”
Amanda Traverse, Teacher
There was lots of really rich learning that emerged from ‘Playing Together’, which is why DIY – in partnership with Salford CEP – are excited to share and explore the approaches developed during this project with others. We are offering a free training session on Tuesday 10th November to share our learning with education staff and creative practitioners working in schools – exploring inclusive creativity and music techniques.
During this Inclusive Creativity and Music Training session, participants will discover practical, inclusive examples of how music and creative play can be used by all school staff to engage children and young people, enhance teaching & learning, and support access & inclusion for all learners – in both Special Schools & Mainstream settings.
The session will be co-led by inclusive music specialist Sarah Atter – working alongside DIY Theatre Company’s Creative Director Sue Caudle and DIY leaders with lived experience of learning disability.
“I’m looking forward to sharing the power of music and the creative arts and exploring these themes together, so that we can make our sector and sensory work for young people even more effective and transformative.”
Sarah Atter, Inclusive Music Specialist
By the end of the workshop, participants will have explored:
- Playing together – the role of the adult as ‘playmate’
- Intensive interaction through music and drama – playing and responding together to build creative conversations and self-expression
- Introducing sensory props and objects to build storytelling, communication skills and support learner choice
- Using the ‘Sounds of Intent’ Framework – developing reactive, proactive and interactive engagement through music making.
This training session is made possible by funding from Salford Cultural Education Partnership.
‘You’ve Got a Friend’ is an 18-month project about friendship, what it feels like to be an outsider, and how we welcome those who are excluded. The end result will be an inclusive, immersive performance for young sensory learners with learning disabilities. It is funded by Youth Music’s Trailblazer Programme.