PUPILS with learning disabilities had a week to remember as an award-winning charity rolled into town.

Create, which was founded in 2003, took its exploring:sounds five day sensory music residency to Kendal’s Sandgate and Queen Katherine Schools.

Two professional musicians spent the week with 73 children, giving them a taste of music and also an insight into to instruments which make the sounds they so enjoyed.

And the charity’s CEO Nicky Goulder said that she was delighted with how the week panned out.

“Special schools are very special places to be,” he said.

“I am constantly inspired by the creativity of the children; the care, commitment and dedication of the staff; and the benefit of taking in the very best of what Create has to offer so that the children and staff can work together in new ways.”

The week involved an interactive music project, which used sensory exploration and musical improvisation, to support teachers’ and carers’ work at the school.

It also encouraged the children to engage with music; enabled them to be creative and develop their confidence and enhanced relationships with their peers.

Headteacher Joyce Fletcher was similarly delighted. “Exploring:sounds showed me a fresh way of presenting opportunities to be involved with, and benefit from, live music,” she said.

“Over the week, the children learned listening and concentration skills. Some learned a bit about the actual inst-rument and how it is used.

“All the students enjoyed it, many of our children with profound and multiple difficulties and some of our children with autism especially so.

“Professionally-run arts workshops are very valuable to both students and staff.

“We select them carefully to bring something that we couldn’t bring ourselves.

“Projects like these are really important. They enable schools to enhance what they provide, and funding for external artists would be very hard for us to find out of our budget in the current climate.”

The week culminated in a informal performance which was enjoyed by everyone.