Geilsland School
Geilsland Arts Music Project
GAMP activities
GAMP outcomes
Geilsland is a residential school in North Ayrshire for boys aged between 15 and 18, which is run by the charity Crossreach. Crossreach is funded through the Church of Scotland, although the school is run on a non-denominational basis. Pupils have a range of behavioural problems and the school has a small roll of 32, allowing a very personal approach.
Many of the students have passed their statutory school leaving age, and all have had negative experiences of the education process. Geilsland therefore combines academic teaching in core skill areas (particularly English and maths) with vocational training such as joinery or plumbing.
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In January 2006 Geilsland School was awarded funding from the Youth Music Initiative's Informal Sector Fund to run a programme of music activity - the Geilsland Arts Music Project - for ten of their pupils. |
The aim of the project was not just to develop musical skills and self-confidence but to give the young people experience of a working studio and of organising a music event.
The project was run in partnership with the community arts organisation Impact Arts, and workshops alternated between the school and Impact Arts' Gorbals art centre, The Creation Zone. Music leader and teacher Alex Ferguson worked with two professional DJs from Impact Arts.
Two key priorities of the Youth Music Initiative are sustainability of activities and training for music educators, and GAMP addressed these by appointing a trainee to work with the music leaders. Continuing Professional Development (CPD) was provided for the trainee by Impact Arts, along with training for all the music leaders in working with young people who have behavioural difficulties.
The project was split into three blocks. First, all ten teenagers were introduced to basic DJing techniques such as mixing, scratching and choosing tracks. There was plenty of opportunity to experiment with different styles of music.
Once the introductory workshops were complete, each participant was able to choose the area that they wished to specialise in. Some concentrated on improving their DJ skills, some focussed on creating music using the pc and others chose to develop their instrumental ability on guitar, keyboard or bass.
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The final block reformed the entire group to organise, promote and take part in the 'St Andrew's Day GAMP event' which took place at Geilsland School on 30 November 2006. The event was attended by an audience of invited guests, parents and friends who enjoyed videos of the training sessions and live performances on decks and Brazilian drums. |
The project was visited by HMIe as part of their inspection of Geilsland School, and was highlighted as one of the schools Key Strengths.
A CD of original compositions dealing with life in a residential school was produced, as well as a dvd containing photographs, video diaries of workshops and footage of the St Andrew's Day event.
One of the participants gained an SQA Music Making Keyboard Unit from his work on the project. He said, 'I was proud of myself because I got my SQA in Music Making. There were lots of good things about GAMP...all the boys behaved well and were willing to learn.'
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The young people involved in the project gained technical, musical and IT skills. Most important of all, however, they gained in self-confidence and self-esteem. |
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As a result of the project's success and the school's HMIe endorsement, Crossreach is currently setting up its own recording studio and equipment. There are plans for a bigger and better GAMP in 2007!
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For more information about GAMP and Geilsland School, email Alex Ferguson.
Information on the YMI Informal Sector Fund can be found on the funding pages of this website. | |