Music Service offers qualification for learners with support needs

Wolverhampton Music Service is offering a new qualification aimed at learners with special educational needs of disabilities (SEND), or other support needs.

The Awards and Certificates in Musical Development are industry-first, innovative qualifications which set a new standard for fully accessible, inclusive music assessments. They enable children and young people with learning difficulties to achieve a fully regulated qualification in any music-making context.

Daryl Pardesi, Hub Development Lead for Inclusion and Partnerships at Wolverhampton Music Service, said: "This is a much-needed new inclusion opportunity for pupils in SEND settings to gain accreditation, just as their peers have done for a long time in primary and secondary settings.

"These innovative qualifications celebrate every learner's journey, recognising musical achievements across all abilities and backgrounds."

Councillor Jacqui Coogan, the City of Wolverhampton Council's Cabinet Member for Children, Young People and Education, added: "These are ground-breaking, fully-accessible, regulated music qualifications open to all learners – from those with profound learning difficulties to those on the autism spectrum.

"These qualifications enable everyone to have their musical achievements and progress formally recognised, and I am delighted that we are able to offer them through Wolverhampton Music Service."

Although geared towards learners with SEND or additional support needs, the Awards and Certificates of Musical Development are designed to recognise how everyone engages with music and is open to all learners working with the Sounds of Intent Framework, with no age restrictions or other limitations.

Wolverhampton Music Service provides high quality tuition and musical opportunities for youngsters from schools across the city, including the chance to perform with its flagship groups, Wolverhampton Youth Orchestra and Wolverhampton Youth Wind Orchestra.

Last year, it delivered around 500 hours of tuition to nearly 7,000 children in 82 schools across the city every week, and runs 15 free ensembles enjoyed by over 500 children and young people on a weekly basis.

To find out more about Wolverhampton Music Service, please visit www.wolverhamptonmusicservice.org.uk.