Ellen Tinkham School partners with music therapy specialist to support wellbeing and development of its pupils with special educational needs

Ellen Tinkham School in Exeter is offering its pupils a specialist music therapy service to support them with needs primarily relating to their social, emotional and mental health, and communication and interaction.

provide music therapy but there is potential for other arts therapies support to be introduced later in the year.

Referrals to music therapy will be made for a range of reasons, including for those pupils who may be finding it difficult to form trusting relationships with others, who are experiencing high levels of anxiety or low mood, who are unable to express and manage their emotions effectively, and where specialist input is needed to support pupils’ development in relation to communication and interaction.

pupils in achieving positive outcomes, whether in relation to their emotional wellbeing, communication, social skills or attention, which can ultimately help children to overcome certain barriers to learning.”

The therapy will be provided by Chroma, the UK’s leading arts therapies organisation within the health, education and social care sectors, and builds on its existing partnership with Pathfield School in Devon, which is also part of the SENtient Trust, where Chroma have been effectively supporting pupils over the past two years. Chroma’s work is evidenced via the East Kent Outcomes System (EKOS) which provides very clear data on progress towards therapy goals.

Many pupils at Ellen Tinkham have difficulty communicating verbally or articulating their thoughts and feelings effectively and this is where music therapy can help them express, explore and better manage their emotions as well as allowing them the opportunity to process their emotions and experiences through an effective means.

Initially, Chroma will

Lucy Collings Pettit, a senior therapist at Chroma, said: “Delivering music therapy to children and young people at Ellen Tinkham offers an opportunity for pupils to express their thoughts, feelings and emotions. The fundamental role of music therapy in the school setting is to support

Nikki Burroughs, Executive Head at Ellen Tinkham, added: “The past couple of years have been particularly difficult, especially for our pupils, and the success at another SENtient Trust school only serves to strengthen our trust in the value of music therapy and arts therapies. So, I am delighted to be able to offer music therapy again in our school to a wider cohort of pupils in addition to those who already have this on their EHCP.

“It is important for schools to support pupils with their development in different areas, including support for addressing and processing their emotions and experiences in a healthy way. Mental health struggles continue to significantly affect growing numbers of children and young people across the UK. Having this service directly available within the school, in a familiar setting, should encourage high levels of engagement and allow our pupils to receive timely support when the need arises.”