Project team
Rebecca Atkinson
Researcher/Institute Operations Manager
Jonathan W Pool
Senior Research Fellow
Ellie Ruddock
Lecturer Practitioner
This research project is evaluating the impact of West of England Music and Arts' (WEMA) Nurture Music programmes on wellbeing outcomes for children in mainstream primary education.
WEMA delivers ten-week programmes to schools, incorporating music nurture groups, therapy sessions with trained practitioners, and whole-school music activities for both staff and students. Whilst anecdotal evidence from the WEMA staff team about the perceived impact of the Nurture Program suggests there is a positive impact on students, no formal analysis has been conducted on the collected data.
This research study is evaluating the impact of the Nurture Program on children’s wellbeing, engagement, and anxiety in school. We are measuring how their therapy goal outcomes improve over the course of the programme. As part of the evaluation, we will be assessing the acceptability of the Nurture programme in mainstream schools according to the staff who have experienced or run music therapy and music wellbeing activities as part of the intervention.
Paving the way for evidence towards children’s mental health in wellbeing, the project hopes to showcase the impact of blended music interventions for mainstream schools and the cost-effectiveness of delivering preventative wellbeing activities for school children at an early age.
National statistics indicate a rising prevalence of mental health issues among primary school-aged children in England. In 2020, an estimated one in six children experienced a mental health disorder (NHS Digital, 2020).
Between 2022 and 2023, nearly one million children and young people in England were referred to children and young people’s mental health services, with anxiety being the most common concern. Alarmingly, 28% of these referrals waited over 12 months for support, and almost 40% were closed before receiving any intervention (Children’s Commissioner, 2024).
Within the Key Stages 1 and 2 curricula, children are encouraged to explore and express emotions, both their own and those of others (Department for Education, 2021). With the government's 2024 focus on educational reform, cost-effective creative interventions may become essential in addressing children's mental health challenges (Gov.uk, 2024). Conducting primary research in this area would provide insights into the effectiveness of music as a tool for fostering student wellbeing.
Gathering evidence from both students and staff, this research aims to support the planning of a future feasibility study for the Nurture programme. Further, the project will highlight the role of music in promoting emotional resilience and wellbeing within primary education settings. Findings could support the integration of music into broader educational and mental health strategies, benefiting children and school communities.
WEMA are a charitable organisation that covers the Arts and Culture in education as well as music teaching. They provide music services across Bath, North and North East Somerset, and South Gloucestershire.
WEMA's music education hub is funded by the Department for Education, with oversight provided by Arts Council England. Their services include musical instrument tuition, music education and creative arts programs.
WEMA also supports children widely across many types of education and health settings and promote the use of music and music therapy as a wellbeing tool at any stage in a child’s educational journey.
Researcher/Institute Operations Manager
Senior Research Fellow
Lecturer Practitioner