Knowledge exchange: August 2023 Editorial

That's it: term's over and the well-earned break awaits. I remember that shock to the system, of the sudden empty classroom, the silence(!) and the days it takes to adjust. Whatever you're doing, I hope it's restful, a welcome change and presents opportunities to recharge.

This month's MT focuses on access and inclusion, and features lived experience of established educators. Tolu McCarthy gives a personal account of growing up as a black music student and training as a teacher, revealing biases around pathways and styles of music, and author Karen Marshall shares her knowledge of neurodiversity, its many forms and how we can support students. The focus continues with Quick Tips, a brand-new column sharing practical advice in bite-size chunks for time-poor teachers (is there any other kind?). Quick Tips this month is on teaching deaf children, courtesy of Emma Hutchinson, another gifted educator with first-hand experience. My thanks to all three contributors for openly sharing such insights.

Extending this focus, professor Martin Fautley untangles what ‘cultural capital’ means to those who coined the term and those interpreting Ofsted, and he reflects on the role of classical music in the curriculum – a hotly debated topic. Chris Woods, meanwhile, takes us outside the classroom to investigate home educating and how music fits this space, and Gawain Hewitt looks at assistive music technology for SEN and wider participation.

Elsewhere, we look at training and resources for Early Years and how Early Career Teachers can make the successful transition from PGCE. We invite Kate Rounding, our resident music tech expert, to deep dive into Steinberg's Dorico 5 – just how effective is this update to one of the market's leading DAWs? And the MU shares practical advice on safeguarding, with news of its Code of Conduct.

For other initiatives – from national Arts Council programmes to local start-ups – turn to page 32 for a report on In Harmony Opera North's projects in Yorkshire, and to page 30 to learn how a young conductor is creating a stir with chamber music and new opportunities in north London. Music's ecosystem seems as varied as ever, against the odds perhaps, and is reflected, too, in MT's round-up of news, events and CPD.

Talking of which, please note that Music Teacher's ‘Curriculum Music: Leadership, Collaboration & Inclusivity’ conference takes place in central London on 10 October. Primary and secondary teachers, music subject leads, hub leaders, SEN and inclusion professionals, school leadership teams and education advisors are all warmly invited. For further information and to register, please visit: www.musicteacherconference.com.

- Phil Croydon, editor