Finish This... SEND

The English National Opera’s FREE music making programme for schools nationwide; bringing a fusion of opera, film and animation into your classroom, as a creative springboard for collaborative composition work. Co-created with teachers and SEND specialists, offering two learner pathways and a broad structure with flexibility to align with your school’s SEND curriculum.

Schools receive:

  • A short film especially commissioned for young audiences, presenting the opera piece ‘Blue, Red, Yellow….’
  • Teacher pack: with step-by-step lesson plans and tips & guidance from teachers who have previously participated
  • A physical toolkit pack with: visual aids and templates; ENO Composer badges for your pupils; and a special sensory letter
  • Digital music-making films to play in the classroom
  • Downloadable resources to support lesson delivery
  • An online Project Briefing session for teachers, introducing the activities and resources
  • A Celebration Package including: ENO certificates, a congratulatory video message and a DIY Animation tool

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Why sign up?

There are two strand options you can choose to follow:

  1. Sensory – designed for pupils who access learning through exploration and who are motivated by sensory interaction and play. Pupils will be offered sensory activities for each session that provide opportunities for development in intensive interaction, communication and emotional regulation.
  2. Collaborative Exploration  – a gradual and flexible model that allows pupils the space and time for pupils to encounter new concepts. The activities offered in each session allows pupils to practice these concepts and incrementally develop their skills in a time and way that suits them. All sessions are supported with visuals and encourage development of communication and skill building.

Pupils will…

  • Develop performance and composition skills
  • Develop listening and communication skills
  • Increase self-confidence to ‘have a go’ and make creative choices 
  • Work as an ensemble to create a new music piece, bringing a sense of achievement and pride in their work

“It was a fabulous project… The physical resources, the online resources, the whole package was excellent. It really was spot on. I’ve done lots of projects with lots of other people and they hadn’t got it as good as that.”

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Read more about the outcomes of last year’s SEND pilot project.

Teachers will…

  • Access high-quality digital teaching resources and training materials co-designed by SEND specialists, artists and teachers
  • Upskill and develop their confidence in delivering whole-class composition work
  • Be inspired and supported to explore child-led approaches to music making

“For me, it has improved my confidence, because I’ve always, particularly with the SEND children, shied away from creativity because we have had the focus on needing the personal skills first.”

 

Timeline

Step 1: Toolkit Package

You will receive a teacher pack with the lesson cards and printed resources and a special toolkit for your class to discover in lesson one. You will also receive access to an online hub with supporting CPD videos including ENO artists modelling some of the key musical exercises.

Step 2. Project Briefing

Teachers are invited to attend our online ‘Project Briefing session’. This will introduce you to: each stage of the project; the different learner pathway options; and how you can use the resources. It will give you a flavour of the creative activities, to ultimately support you with a confident delivery with your class. If you decide to deliver the project in the Spring Term, you can watch this recorded online session back.

Step 3. ‘The Hook’ 

In the first lesson your class will ‘discover’ the special toolkit package sent to your school from the ENO; they will discover a mysterious envelope with a URL that leads to the film stimulus and operatic piece ‘Blue, Red, Yellow…’

The short film, along with a sensory letter from the ENO, sets the mission to step into the role of an ENO Composer and create your own colour world using music, text and sounds, to complete the end of the opera.

Step 4. Composer mission!

You will lead the class through the process of selecting their own colour, creating their own ‘word bank’ libretto and making music. We provide you with all the support, classroom resources and guidance you need.

Step 5. Share and Celebrate

You are invited to submit your class music pieces to the ENO who will celebrate and showcase them across our digital online platforms. You will also receive a congratulatory celebration package from the ENO.

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Take Part

Booking for the 2023-24 project delivery has now closed.

To express your interest for the 2024-25 academic year, complete this EOI form, or contact the Finish This… team on [email protected] 

Example music piece

“Black” by Year 9 Class, St. Philip’s School, Chessington

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