The children of Barlow Hall Primary School in Chorlton, South Manchester, will head to the Royal Northern College of Music (RNCM) this week to record a new song as part of a communication project to help pupils with autism.

Connect@BarlowHall was established by the School and RNCM to create a better visual and sonic environment for children within Barlow Hall's Communication Centre who have autism or language impairments.

Several strands

The full project comprises several strands, including the design and installation of a new sensory garden where children can explore the senses with different elements of sound, smell and touch.

There will also be a tessellation artwork connecting hundreds of butterflies designed and decorated by the School's children and staff, a soundscape to replace the school bell which autistic children often find too painful to hear, and the writing and recording of a brand new school song.

Workshops

Through a series of workshops with composer Kate Pearson and RNCM graduate Lucy Armstrong, children from Reception class to Year 6 have been involved in writing the lyrics and melody to 'Look Inside', which they will record in the RNCM Concert Hall later this week accompanied by a band of 20 college students.

Working with the children has been a wonderful experience and we're all looking forward to professionally recording it at the RNCMComposer, Kate Pearson

Wonderful experience

Kate said: "Working with the children has been a wonderful experience and we're all looking forward to professionally recording it at the RNCM.

I'm so impressed by how everyone has worked together to create something that's both moving and inspiring, not only for today's children, but for future generations of Barlow Hall pupils."

Great opportunity

Barlow Hall Head Teacher Jayne Kennedy added: "The project is such a great opportunity for all of our pupils to feel included and to be able to express themselves in different ways."