ABSTRACT
It is widely believed that learning music helps young people to learn in general, and that it is a unique form of communication, yet its place in our school curriculum hardly ever seems secure. Teachers of music have to fight constantly for a slot in the timetable. This is unfortunate because, for pupils with SEND, music can be especially valuable, not least because it provides opportunities for success when other subjects seem to offer only difficulties. Including pupils with SEND in music lessons may be a challenge but will also be very rewarding. One might need to consider some physical reorganisation of the music suite and acquire some new equipment; one will certainly need to give careful thought to how music curriculum can be made accessible to all. This will require additional time and effort but ultimately will make him/her a better teacher - not only a better teacher of pupils with special needs, but a better teacher of all.
