Torfield School

The music teacher at Torfield School has been using the Unlocking Music software for over a year, coupled with an interactive whiteboard. Before the Magic Train project (the forerunner to the Music Gym, in which the teacher worked as a facilitator), she was very dubious about the place of technology in music teaching. Using Soundbeam opened her eyes to its possibilities and the Unlocking Music Software has enabled her to go further in engaging children who are usually difficult to reach.

The children in the school, aged 4 to 11, have autism, mild learning disabilities and some severe learning disabilities, and associated communication difficulties. Working with just a basic webcam and some carpet tiles,the teacher set aside a slot in each lesson which has become a valuable time for both fun and some serious learning, including:

  • spatial awareness
  • self-expression
  • exploring different ways of moving
  • controlling movement
  • working together, including the use of non-verbal cues

These are in addition to the music element in the session! The ideas have been pulled together into a manual that can act as a starting point for other teachers.

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Music Gym in Hastings has closed

With great sadness we have closed the Music Gym at Horntye Park Sports Complex. If you would like more information please contact Tom by email at tom@decoda.org. We thank everyone for their messages of support and we will continue to work on ways to engage with people who have complex needs.

Lancaster and Preston Music Gym Roadshows

The Music Gym Roadshow is coming to Lancaster on the 16th and 17th and Preston on 18th August 2010. Book NOW to avoid disappointment

Try Unlocking Music software for free!

For a limited time you have the opportunity to try out the software that's being used successfully in schools and services. It's particularly successful at engaging people with complex needs who wouldn't otherwise be able to take part in music activities.

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