Some of our secondary pupils have been having fun exploring technology to support our health and wellbeing and communication during term 1.
We have been playing different Xbox games developing our motor skills and tracking abilities as well as the brilliant social element of sharing an activity together. We have tried pinball games, car (and duck) racing as well as dancing.
Including using assistive photo technology and AI to make some new all about Beatlie videos from a pupil perspective which will be uploaded to our website soon…watch this space.
In addition one of our pupils has been developing a communication word bank and profile using Voiceitt to support his verbal communication in paired and group times.
It has been a busy and rewarding term in Music, with wonderful engagement and enthusiastic responses from children across the school.
Our Primary classes have continued to explore favourite songs while developing their understanding of instruments, communication and movement through music. Familiar songs such as Incy Wincy Spider have provided exciting opportunities to experiment with different musical ideas, including loud and quiet sounds, expressive singing and even some wonderfully funny voices.
The older children have been exploring African music and learning the actions that accompany Funga Alafia, a traditional welcome song from Nigeria. This energetic and engaging song proved particularly popular with pupils in Glendevon, Tinto and Ochiltree classes, who enjoyed combining movement and music as they learned.
In Duntarvie, pupils explored quieter, more sensory musical experiences. Using instruments such as the tin pan, hand pan and chimes, they accompanied The River is Flowing, a beautiful song celebrating the natural world. Believed to have originated from a chant written in the 1970s by Sun Bear of the Chippewa Tribe, the song encouraged listening, reflection and gentle musical participation. It has been a meaningful addition to our repertoire, and one that we look forward to revisiting later in the year.
Tinto class also began work on Autumn Elegy, a jazzy waltz inspired by the changing seasons. Through music, pupils explored images of migrating swallows, hibernating hedgehogs, crunchy autumn leaves and autumn celebrations. This project will continue after the holiday, when other classes will also have the opportunity to discover and enjoy the piece.
Alongside our class music sessions, we have been delighted to welcome back our Music Therapists, who are once again working with individuals and small groups across the school. Charan has also returned to lead Dance Therapy sessions, bringing movement and expression into the school day. In addition, the popular lunchtime group featuring Charan’s movement activities accompanied by Gordon’s live flute music has become a valued part of the weekly timetable once again.
We are incredibly proud of the enthusiasm, creativity and musical curiosity shown by our pupils this term, and we look forward to building on these experiences in the months ahead.
It has been such a delight to watch you all achieving so many things this term. I have loved seeing you all engage in your various awards and qualifications and seeing you all having so much fun across your rich and varied curricula! It’s also been wonderful to see everyone accessing the local community in a range of sporting activities and hear all about your swimming successes and awards too!
Our wonderful S3s have now completed their ASDAN transition challenges, engaging in a wide range of activities with lots of effort and enthusiasm, spanning arts and crafts, cooking, drama, music, RME, whilst developing life skills, accessing the local community and even participating in work experience tasks by shadowing various people who help us at Beatlie, and within the community, to name just a few areas of learning and skills development.
Our S4 and S5 pupils have been working hard to achieve even more SQAs this term, and have loved learning about how to care for animals, exploring our unique sensory perception systems, and transferring our skills to learning in new and exciting environments. Our S5 pupils also achieved success in learning about relationships with others and keeping safe. One S5 pupil has even achieved a National 2 award in learning all about personal health and wellbeing – fantastic!
What’s been so heartening though, is seeing you all find happiness and self expression in the everyday interactions you have with your adults and with your peers. There is so much kindness and laughter in our classroom – thank you for so many memories!
What a year we have had together!
Well done, well done, we are all so very proud of you!
It’s been a busy and creative time in our music sessions, with learners across the school exploring sound, rhythm and technology in exciting ways.
🌩️ Primary and Lammermuir Classes
Our younger learners had great fun bringing songs to life. We sang Mr Macarella with enthusiasm and explored the sounds of weather through I Hear Thunder and Rain Rain Go Away. Using a range of instruments—including drums, thunder drums, rainsticks and accordion—students experimented with loud and quiet sounds, creating their own imaginative soundscapes.
🎵 Pentland Class
Loopimal interface (c) Yayatoy
Pentland class combined music and technology to create pieces that were both energetic and calming. Using the Loopimal app on iPads, learners built lively beats by swiping shapes onto a timeline, creating music to move to. Afterwards, they used the Bloom app to compose gentle, peaceful soundscapes, perfect for relaxing and unwinding.
The interface of the Bloom app. A tap creates an circle and corresponding sound that then gently repeats and fades like ripples in a pond. (c) Generative Music
🥁 Secondary Cross-Class Groups
Our secondary learners explored music in a hands-on and playful way using boomwhackers. They investigated how sound is created by looking, listening and experimenting—tapping the tubes on their bodies and classroom surfaces to produce different tones. They also stepped into the world of digital music production, creating uptempo backing tracks in GarageBand, experimenting with genres from rock to house.
🌟 Soundbeam Adventures
Soundbeam switches, sensor and console (c) Soundbeam
A highlight this term has been the introduction of our new Soundbeam kit. After staff training, students had the chance to explore this innovative technology, which uses switches and infrared beams to create music. One of the most popular activities was the Jungle scenario, where students triggered animal sounds and video clips while using Soundbeams to play flute and percussion sounds.
This exciting new resource has already been a big hit, and we’re looking forward to developing our skills and creativity with it even further next year.
It’s been wonderful to see creativity, curiosity and collaboration shine through music across all classes! 🎶
Therapy Continues to Inspire
Around the school, our Music Therapists, Sophie and Ellie, continue their fantastic work with the children, providing engaging and meaningful sessions that encourage communication, self-expression, and wellbeing. Through music-based activities, children are given opportunities to explore sounds, develop social skills, and build confidence in a supportive and nurturing environment.
Alongside this, Charan’s Dance Therapy sessions remain as popular as ever. The children thoroughly enjoy taking part in movement-based activities that promote creativity, coordination, and self-confidence while offering a fun and energetic way to express themselves.
Our school choir has also continued to flourish, helping children grow in confidence when using their voices. By taking turns using the microphone, pupils are developing their speaking and singing confidence, while action songs and call-and-response activities encourage participation, listening skills, and teamwork. It has been wonderful to see the children engage with the opportunities to perform and take part.
These therapeutic and creative opportunities continue to make a positive impact across the school, helping children develop confidence, communication skills, and a love of music and movement.
We’ve been busy again in Secondary, keeping active and trying out new sports! 💪🏃♀️
It’s been great to see everyone getting involved, building fitness and enjoying a range of different activities along the way. Plenty of energy, smiles and team spirit all round!
Football at Broxburn United Sports Club ⚽
Archery 🏹
Golf at American Golf Driving Range ⛳
Dancing at DanceWorld Studios 🕺
And finally 2 weeks altogether at Deer Park Bowling 🎳
🏏 On Monday, three of our athletes took part in the first-ever Edinburgh Disability Cricket Festival at Inverleith Park!
Joining pupils from across the East of Scotland, they had a fantastic time — especially teaming up with pupils from Tynecastle High School. The day was packed with action as they developed their striking, bowling, catching, throwing and running skills.
Striking off the tee
Fielding
Striking & Catching
Bowling
Running
Bowling
To top it all off, we finished with a well-earned picnic in the park 🧺😋 — a perfect end to a brilliant day!
On Monday afternoon we hosted our Secondary PE event.
A BIG thank you to the parents and carers who came along . We enjoyed sharing all the different activities and skills we have been working on this year.
This term has been a wonderfully busy one for Music, filled with creativity, participation, and plenty of joyful noise. We’ve been fortunate to continue our partnership with Live Music Now, whose visits always bring excitement, inspiration, and high-quality live performance experiences for our pupils. Alongside them, our Music Therapists have continued their invaluable work, supporting children through personalised, expressive sessions that foster communication, confidence, and emotional wellbeing.
🌈 Early Years Musical Adventures
Our younger learners have also enjoyed a rich musical experience this term. Caterpillar Music visited Hopetoun class, with Lammermuir joining in for a series of lively themed sessions full of songs, actions, instruments, and sensory play. Early Years music has also included further activities focused on movement, choosing favourite nursery rhymes, and opportunities for gentle musical relaxation. These sessions have supported early communication, turn‑taking, and joy in shared musical experiences.
😌 Dance Therapy: Movement, Music, and Mindfulness
Our Dance Therapy sessions with Charan have also been a highlight. In addition to regular groups, a special Thursday lunchtime session has been running, where Charan collaborates with Gordon, who provides flute accompaniment.
The combination of gentle melodies, soft percussion, and expressive movement has created a calm and relaxing space for the children. It’s been lovely to see pupils engaging in this soothing environment, with singing and vocalisation in response to the calm movement and sounds.
🎧 Making Musical Choices: ASDAN Awards
Several of our secondary pupils have been working hard toward their ASDAN awards, focusing on skills such as making choices and expressing preferences in Music. Using switches, students have been selecting pieces of music and choosing which songs they’d like to hear in full.
The range of musical tastes has been fantastic—from rock classics and ABBA favourites to Gigglebellies, Louis Armstrong, and more. The sessions have often been full of energy, with pupils showing good attention and engagement. Scarves and ribbons have added extra fun as the children move, sway, and dance along to the music they’ve chosen.
It’s been a term full of creativity, expression, and meaningful musical moments. We can’t wait to see what next term brings!
