13% of pupils in England receive some form of SEND support. Children with SEND face significant barriers to accessing musical experiences, including physical access, lack of accessible information, and worries about ‘fitting in’. Cost, lack of appropriate content, practicalities, and diminishing music provision in state education also prevent SEND schools from visiting cultural venues, accessing affordable and high-quality creative experiences, and benefitting from the power of the arts.

Music has many beneficial effects for children with SEND, improving their social skills, levels of engagement in school activities, and mental wellbeing. Moreover, music gives children with SEND a sense of purpose, a chance to excel where they may not in other subjects, and a sense of community and belonging with peers. ETO will create and tour a bespoke opera to schools across England, inspiring creative self-expression, greater confidence, and strong social bonds for children with SEND.