STUDENTS at Belvue School in Rowdell Road, Northolt, will benefit from a £120,000 grant awarded by the national charity, Youth Music, to specialist music organisation Drake Music.

Drake will deliver enhanced music teaching to students with learning difficulties and a range of other additional needs, including ASD.

The Exchanging Notes initiative aims to establish if it brings additional benefits for the young participants.

Along with nine other similar projects around the country, Birmingham City University will evaluate the educational, musical and other features of this new partnership for pupils.

Students at Belvue will use music technology and conventional instruments on topics including Film Music, Songwriting in Popular Music and Cultural Music.

They will form an ensemble that will perform both at school and contribute to borough events.

Drake Music will also provide training for special school music staff and other music leaders, including bespoke training for teachers from five other Ealing special schools.

Jonathan Westrup, Learning and Participation Manager for Drake Music, said: “We know from our work how powerful music can be in supporting these students’ progress and their enjoyment of school life.”

Matt Griffiths, executive director of Youth Music said: “The results may well turn out to be of enormous significance to stimulate fresh thinking in music education.”