Creative Learning
When pupils find their voice, everything else opens up.
"WRITING FLOATS ON A SEA OF TALK" - James Britton
Talk comes before writing. Children who can speak — who can articulate, express, relate — are children who can begin to write. Creativity can help us make this connection.
Not all pupils struggle to speak. Some have plenty to say. But there's a difference between chatter and talk that shapes a thought, expresses a feeling or preference, or turns an experience into a story. That kind of expressive, purposeful speaking needs the right conditions.
Sound recording creates those conditions - it's exciting and stimulating and enables pupils to connect with the sound of their own voice. Suddenly speaking is enjoyable, and the sentences you said have a presence in the world. This is literal 'Pupil Voice'.
Oracy is a fundamental skill — for learning, for life, for confidence. But it also unlocks something further. A pupil who has already spoken a thought freely — recorded it, heard it back, shaped it — has done the hardest part of writing before they've picked up a pen. The sentences exist. The words have been found. The ideas have been expressed. NOW we have a real basis for writing.
Visible Music delivers creative programmes that use music technology, voice recording, podcasting and sound storytelling to develop oracy, build self-expression and support literacy across the curriculum.
PROGRAMMES
Creative Music & Oracy in Schools
GarageBand and BandLab workshops where pupils compose, record and produce their own music using iPads. Designed to develop musical understanding, digital competence and — critically — oracy through the creative process. Pupils who make something together have something to talk about. Recording and playback makes talk fun and creative.
Voice, Podcasting & Oracy
Pupils create, record and produce their own podcast episodes or audio documentaries. Lines can be scripted or simply freely expressed through multiple takes - then easily edited using software already on your school iPad. Excellent for developing oracy and working as a team.
This works as a standalone project or embedded across any curriculum areas — or maybe for creating a school podcast.
Sound storytelling and foley workshops use creative audio to lower the threshold for vocal contribution. Pupils who are reluctant to speak in conventional classroom settings will often engage immediately when the task involves sound effects, narrative voice or character work.
This approach has been developed and delivered by Alex Rees through Visible Music and through UCAN Academy — award winning creative learning work in mainstream and ALN settings.
Foley, Sound Storytelling & Creative Voice
Alex Rees will be presenting GarageBand for Oracy: Creative Voice, Talk and Literacy Through Music Technology at the National Education Show, Cardiff, October 2026.
WHAT THIS LOOKS LIKE IN PRACTICE
Programmes are designed around your school's priorities. They can be:
Delivered as a block of sessions or a longer residency
Embedded within an existing curriculum area or topic
Adapted for specific year groups or ALN contexts
Combined across strands — e.g, podcasting/oracy project
All programmes are planned in discussion with the school and are aligned to Curriculum for Wales.
WHO THIS IS FOR
Primary and Secondary schools across Wales — particularly those looking to strengthen oracy provision, support pupil voice, or bring creative digital approaches into cross-curricular work.
If you're a music service, arts organisation or education partner looking to develop a bespoke programme, get in touch to discuss.
EXPERIENCE & PARTNERS
Creative learning programmes delivered in partnership with and commissioned by:
Welsh Government National Plan for Music Education
Arts Council of Wales' Lead Creative Schools Scheme / Creative Learning Cymru
RCT Music Service
Cardiff Curriculum Team
UCAN Productions
If you're a school, music service or education organisation looking to bring creative learning programmes into your setting, get in touch to discuss what's possible.
GET IN TOUCH
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