Nurture Group - method in the madness

I've had a great summer and, talking to everyone I meet, it feels like it was ages ago! I'm now back at full capacity this week, giving myself a little breather into the new term. One of the things about being a freelance artist is that I can mould my diary to my own needs. I always make sure that I start back at schools in their second week, giving myself a bit of a staggered start to the term, slowly building up to a full diary.

It's lush to be back at the schools though! I'm pretty lucky with the two schools I have worked with for a few years now. We trust in each other and they "get" what I do. It can sometime take a while to build relationships with schools as you're only in there for a half day a week, you generally fit around the rest of the school diary, and it's hard to get to know the staff and them to get to know you. Also, when it comes to the Musical Nurture Groups I run, they can sometimes sound like a cacophony of noise and overexcited children. There's method in the madness!

My space is experimental and child led, in compete comparison to how teachers are expected to lead classes in learning. In their defence, they have a curriculum to get through, around 30 kids to teach, and Ofsted looking over their shoulders, just to name the tip of the iceberg. Hats off to every teacher, I don't know how you do it! I have a relatively easy time of it. Six kids per group and the space to make noise and play.

A new term often sees me working with new children, although I do sometimes get returning pupils from previous years. It's both exciting and nerve wracking, not knowing how they are going to respond to me and the ideas I bring to the table. I have a range of instruments for them to experiment with, and always paper and pens to write down or draw ideas. The first session can either be chaos as the excitement of being out of class and in a more relaxed space can be overwhelming, however, it can also be too much for some children.

These are children in times of crisis and their responses can range from silence to screeching, stillness to bouncing off the walls. Finding the balance and keeping the space safe can be tricky, I need to find what makes each child tick and respond safely, as quickly as I can. We come together, weekly, to have safe and creative fun, make a little community of friends, and if there is any creation and musical learning I see that as a plus.

Success for Musical Nurture Groups looks like a child who is smiling, who is making friends, their confidence is growing and their attendance is improving. To be honest, if they achieve just one of these, I consider it a huge success!