Pupils at Church Lawton School, a special school supporting autistic children near Alsager, demonstrated the power of drumming at a special showcase event alongside Josh Devine (Drummer, One Direction/Levara) today (Friday).

Devised as part of the Clem Burke Drumming Project (CBDP), the showcase highlighted the school's involvement in the project, a leading research programme exploring the physical and mental health benefits of rock drumming.

Named after founder and Blondie drummer Clem Burke, the CBDP brings together academics from the University of Chichester, Ulster University, Hartpury University and King's College London.

Working collaboratively, the project develops unique research programmes with partners to better understand the impact of drumming in different settings.

Over the past six weeks, a group of 15 year 7, 8 and 9 pupils have been learning how to drum thanks to teaching from Jay Stannard of Love Music Trust.

(Photo: Church Lawton School)

They have been working towards today's special event, where they performed for invited guests including Lady Redwood, Lord-Lieutenant for Cheshire, and Sir Phil Redmond, TV writer/producer and creator of Grange Hill, Brookside and Hollyoaks, and other local leaders, partners and supporters.

The addition of Josh Devine (Drummer, One Direction/Levara), saw them sharing the stage with a professional touring musician as they showcased what they've learned.

advertisement

Songs performed by the students included Best Day of My Life by American Authors, American Idiot by Green Day, Fleabag by Yung Blood and Summer of 69 by Bon Jovi.

As an unexpected highlight, staff also grabbed their sticks and took to the stage in a surprise performance.

Unbeknown to students, their teachers had been secretly learning a few songs too. Project lead Karen Woodall and Principal Paul Scales, alongside colleagues, donned special T-shirts and performed White Stripes' Seven Nation Army and, appropriately for the last day of half term, Alice Cooper's School's Out For Summer.

Following successful work in another Liberty Academy Trust school, work with CBDP is now being delivered across all three of the Trust's specialist settings, including Church Lawton School, to explore its impact on autistic pupils.

At Church Lawton School, the project is supporting pupils to develop confidence, communication skills and emotional regulation through structured drumming sessions.

Staff have already reported encouraging outcomes, including increased engagement and improved communication.

Previous projects' feedback has included outcomes like parents reporting children being able to clean all their teeth for the first time and being able to fasten their own clothes thanks to improved dexterity, and more emotional regulation.

Professor Marcus S. Smith, co-founder of the Clem Burke Drumming Project and Professor Emeritus of Applied Sport and Exercise Science at the University of Chichester, said: "What a fantastic day! It's been incredible to be able to share the science behind the sticks! With the help of Roland, CBDP, Liberty Academy Trust, Josh Devine and others, we've created a memorable day for everyone. Long may it continue!"

Karen Woodall, Deputy Principal and Project Lead, said: "Our pupils have worked so hard and really thrown themselves into the project. It's been fantastic, and quite emotional, to see them on stage, performing and thoroughly enjoying themselves today.

"We're very proud of them all and are looking forward to working with more of our pupils to ensure they can experience the benefits of drumming in the coming weeks and months."

Paul Scales, Principal at Church Lawton School, said: "We are proud to be part of a research project that is helping to build the evidence around how creative approaches like drumming can support autistic young people.

At Church Lawton, we're seeing how this work helps pupils grow in confidence, develop communication skills and engage more fully in school life.

Having Josh Devine join and perform with our pupils made this an even more special occasion. It has been a truly wonderful day."

The project has been made possible thanks to drum manufacturer Roland, who have part funded all the drum kits. Church Lawton School is part of Liberty Academy Trust.

Want to know more about Alsager?

Free from clickbait, pop-up ads and unwanted surveys, Alsager Nub News is a quality online newspaper for our town.

Please consider following Alsager Nub News on Facebook or Twitter

You can also sign up for our weekly newsletter here - it features the top five stories of the week