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Rachel Pollard Dip.HE, BA Hons, PGCE (Music) (QTS), MA Ed
About Sing Play Connect
Rachel is the founder of Sing Play Connect CIC and a Music and Communication Specialist with over 20 years of experience in music education. She holds a BA (Hons) in Music and a PGCE in Secondary Music Teaching from the University of Huddersfield. Rachel earned a distinction for her MA in Early Years Music Education from Birmingham City University and presented her findings on parent-mediated practices and sensory profiling in home-based musical play at the 2024 MERYC UK conference.Rachel's research focuses on the connection between music and communication for autistic children, individuals with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), and adults with dementia. A trained singer and violinist, she has dedicated her career to using music as a transformative tool for connection and learning.
After her children were diagnosed as autistic, Rachel became passionate about SEND music education and now works with families, early years settings, and care homes to enhance speech and social interaction through music. As a recently diagnosed educator with ADHD and autism herself, she advocates for supporting neurodiversity in early years settings and providing neurodivergent-led and informed CPD. Rachel currently serves as a director, consultant, and Lead Practitioner at Sing Play Connect CIC and Midland Music Education Services Ltd (Kiddibops), where she also leads training and workshops.Rachel is currently studying at the University of Roehampton for a PG Cert in the Sounds of Intent Framework, a specialist qualification in delivering and assessing music in SEND practice and Dementia. She looks forward to continuing her research and supporting more families and settings to explore the benefits of musical play in early childhood.
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