Developing Partnerships to Support Children in Care

Ian Brennan’s experience comes from 20 years teaching in the classroom, the most recent 8 has been teaching music with SIPS Education. Currently teaching whole class and small group students ranging between 3 and 14 years old, Ian’s passion is enabling all to achieve their potential and have fun making music. Ian delivers EDI training in how to deliver a more inclusive and bespoke offer; works with Student Voice and the Children In Care programme.

Tanya Derham has been the Service Manager for SIPS Music and Arts Service in Sandwell since 2018. She has over 23 years’ experience delivering music in Sandwell schools. Before working for the music service, Tanya was a KS2 Primary teacher.

Tanya is passionate about music and the arts and the role these subjects play in enhancing the lives of children and young people across the region and community.

Mark Patton is a passionate music educator and inclusion specialist who leads on alternative provision and targeted music engagement across Coventry. In his role with Coventry Music, Mark oversees the development and delivery of high-quality music programmes for young people in pupil referral units, alternative provision settings, and mainstream schools where students may be at risk of exclusion.

A strong advocate for equity in music education, Mark has worked closely with Children’s Services and Coventry Virtual School since 2017 to increase access to meaningful musical opportunities for children in care. Through a combination of instrumental and vocal tuition, holiday workshops, performance opportunities, and enrichment events, he has helped create a broad and inclusive programme that removes barriers to participation and supports young people to develop confidence, aspiration, and a sense of belonging through music.

Recognising the need for a clear progression pathway beyond individual lessons, Mark established a dedicated band project for Key Stage 3 and Key Stage 4 children in care in 2024. As the project lead, he oversees and delivers the weekly sessions, bringing together young musicians from across the city to rehearse, perform, develop their skills, and experience the benefits of collaborative music-making. The band has become a powerful vehicle for creativity, connection, and personal growth, providing opportunities that many of the young people may not otherwise experience.

Mark Steele has been the Lead for Coventry Music since September 2017, having previously worked in Sheffield and Wakefield Music Services and at the charity Orchestra’s for All. Mark has developed the redesigned offer in Coventry to work with a broader and more diverse group of young people including work in all alternative provision sites in the city, including transformative music programmes enabling young people to return to mainstream settings through the power of music and use music as a tool to support personal and social development. As the consortium lead for Heart of England Music the newly established Music Hub for Coventry, Solihull and Warwickshire he is committed to developing new and exciting ways to ensure music education is available for all young people across genres, styles and communities.