Count Me In: a Head Start approach
What is the Head Start strategy?
The Head Start strategy is an initial session built into the start of each project. It is designed to support children and young people who may experience barriers to engaging positively with Inspiring Music’s whole class provision.
This can include, but is not limited to, pupils who are:
children with SEND or SEMH needs
looked after children
pupils with English as an additional language (EAL)
pupils displaying challenging behaviour
pupils eligible for free school meals (FSM) or pupil premium (PP)
young carers
displaced young people
Before the project begins
Before delivery starts, an Inspiring Music tutor will liaise with the class teacher. This may take place:
by phone
via Microsoft Teams
through a school visit, where appropriate
The purpose of this discussion is to gain a clearer understanding of the class and to identify a small group of pupils (maximum eight) who would benefit from a Head Start lesson.
Week 1: Head Start lesson
In week one, the Inspiring Music tutor will work with the identified pupils away from the main classroom.
virtual resources can be provided for use with the rest of the class while the Head Start session takes place
the Head Start session gives pupils early exposure to the learning and expectations of the project
the focus is on building confidence, enjoyment and willingness to participate
During this session, the tutor will:
dedicate focused time to the identified pupils
build positive relationships
explain what to expect in upcoming music lessons
introduce key skills, routines and initial repertoire
This enables pupils to act as “Musical Champions” when they return to whole class sessions.
Head Start in subsequent terms
If a class receives the same project from the same Inspiring Music tutor in a later term, week one of the new term can be used as another Head Start session.
This allows the tutor to:
support the same pupils again, or
identify newly emerging needs
This approach helps ensure good progress and learning for all pupils and supports inclusion across the whole class.
Weeks 2 to 10: whole class delivery
From week two onwards, delivery continues with the full class as part of the main project timetable.
Week 11*: performance or final session
Reception to Year 2 and all instrumental projects
Week 11 is usually:
an in-school concert
Schools may choose instead to have:
an additional taught lesson
Please discuss your preference directly with your music tutor.
*Vocal projects
Vocal pupils are offered the opportunity to take part in an end-of-year large-scale performance to celebrate and showcase their work.
If a school is unable to attend the large-scale performance, an 11th session can take place in school. This must be arranged during the same period that the large venue performances are offered.
Early years settings
For early years settings, the Head Start approach takes the form of a visit from the Inspiring Music tutor. This visit focuses on:
observing children in their setting
speaking with the class teacher and teaching assistant
Additional support available
Inspiring Music can also support children and young people in the following ways:
Adapted and accessible instruments
For pupils with physical disabilities, adapted instruments can be explored by liaising with OHMI.
Supporting SEND pupils
Schools can arrange a meeting with our SEND Coordinator to discuss how pupils can best access music lessons.
For more information about how Inspiring Music supports equity, diversity and inclusion, please contact our Music Inclusion Manager:
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