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Derrington 2012 thesis.pdf - Anglia Ruskin Research Online

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the session. His home life was chaotic and he showed no interest in taking a<br />

DVD away. Instead, our regular pattern of watching the film and talking about<br />

it afterwards became as important as our playing.<br />

Then, in his third school term of music therapy, Tim asked to see some of his<br />

video from the first term. In this session he did not want to play any<br />

instruments but rather watched many different excerpts and, following the<br />

usual pattern, watching the videos encouraged him to talk. He spoke openly<br />

about how he felt watching the different films and was keen to reflect on the<br />

past. He was able to comment on how he felt now compared to then and all<br />

the changes that had occurred in his life.<br />

This was an interlude and subsequent sessions were full of playing, using the<br />

camera, watching and talking about what we had played, as before. However,<br />

it was this predictable structure that added to his sense of security which<br />

allowed him to look back and consider feelings which were difficult and<br />

uncomfortable. The videos were also a real record of his playing and feelings<br />

at different times which he was able to keep and refer to when he wanted.<br />

Music therapy is made particularly effective by its strong position in the school; due<br />

to the fact it is embedded within the system it has been a good site for academic<br />

research. The school set-up and time-tabled day already provides the structure which<br />

students need, so that therapy can take place: this culture helps students to attend their<br />

sessions regularly and on time (<strong>Derrington</strong>, 2005). The work also has to be clearly<br />

boundaried to protect students from peer pressure and knowing what other students<br />

do or play in therapy. Competition could come about if the work was not kept clearly<br />

confidential and students generally understand and respect this.<br />

3.5.1 Monitoring and evaluation<br />

The head teacher of The Centre School has supported music therapy right from the<br />

start and the provision has built up with the development of The Centre School. The<br />

need for monitoring and evaluation has challenged my work and reinforced an<br />

approach which has been shaped by the school’s changes and its culture. At the<br />

! ')!

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