The Base is an additionally resourced provision for autistic students and those with complex needs at Acland Burghley School.

Anna Rimington, Acland Burghley’s Director of Learning for Key Stage 5 and OAE Liaison, explains the school’s approach: “We are a mainstream comprehensive school with a very high number of students with Additional Educational Needs (AEN) and therefore inclusion is central to every strand of our practice.”

The idea for Ground Base came about through a discussion with Billy Pinches, Associate Special Educational Needs Co-ordinator (SENCo), and the OAE’s Education Director, Cherry Forbes. Following an initial pilot of four sessions in the Base, it now runs as a monthly session.

The workshops are led by composer Raph Clarkson and supported by a team of musicians from the OAE. It provides an example of how our partnership with Acland Burghley School is helping students gain confidence through working together and exploring a range of music.

“The OAE’s programmes”, says Anna Rimington, “enable students with a range of complex needs to collaborate with their peers to make and perform music guided by players who bring deep experience of working with AEN students across the country in a range of different settings.”

In the sessions, students are encouraged to sing, play instruments and create music collaboratively and inclusively so every voice in the room is valued. New for 24-25, we have invited two Year 10 students to become Young Artists with us in our Ground Base sessions to provide support to younger students at the school.