Learning in a New Key

 Event 

Learning in a New Key

Part of the School of Education Research Seminar Series 2021-22.

About the seminar

Dr Nick Clough and Dr Jane Tarr will explore the participatory action research (PAR) approaches enacted in classrooms to promote inter-professional learning between teachers, teacher trainers and music therapists. They will report their findings from an ERASMUS+ funded project entitled "Learning in a New Key" which brought music therapists and teachers to work together to support the wellbeing and inclusion in learning of young people with social, emotional and mental health concerns.

The seminar will justify and exemplify the reflective and dialogic processes of the enquiries including the innovative use of reflexive products to prompt ongoing critical communication between the participants.

Findings from the research include proposals for shaping the continuing co-participation of teacher trainers, music therapists and teachers in providing and researching social and emotional access to learning for young people with mental health concerns in this era of the COVID-19 pandemic. It provides a focus on research and interventions to this end within a residential special school in southwest England. Teachers and music therapists from Portugal, Poland and Italy have also contributed.

The seminar will also launch their book: Addressing Issues of Mental Health in Schools through the Arts. Teachers and Music Therapists Working Together (London: Routledge, 2022).

This research seminar is supported by the following research centres and group: the Research Centre for Mental Health and Wellbeing; the Centre for Research into Equity, Inclusion; the Centre for Policy, Pedagogy and Practice; and the Intercultural Communication through Practice Research Group.

About the speakers

Dr Nick Clough taught in inner urban primary schools before moving into teacher education, first as an LEA advisory teacher and then within the university sector. At UWE, Bristol he became Director of Initial Teacher Education. He currently works as a professional development adviser and community musician. He coordinated the ERASMUS+ LINK Project.

Dr Jane Tarr taught children and young people with social and emotional difficulties before moving into higher education as a teacher trainer/researcher in inclusive education. At UWE, Bristol, she became Director of Teachers’ Continuing Professional Development. She is a qualified music therapist, currently working with young people in schools and clinical settings.