IT is not always easy for children with special educational needs to say what is on their minds.

Communication can be an obstacle and some children face the daily challenge of being judged on their disability, rather than on their abilities and strengths.

A band of students wanting to give these children a voice will be speaking out through the medium of song.

The Multi-Schools Council, made up of mainstream and special schools across Essex, has written a song called All Stand Strong in the fight for equality.

Kierran Pearce, who teaches at Market Field School in Elmstead Market, helped set up the council drawing on his passion for supporting children with special educational needs.

He said: “The children came up with the lyrics, it’s talking about how children with special educational needs are seen by others.

“We asked children how they think others see them and they came up with a list of words.

“These were passed on to our ambassador Justine Harrington, a blind singer from Basildon.

“She wrote the song for us.”

Twelve children from schools across Essex were chosen to work on parts of the song.

A music video is due to be filmed on December 12 to accompany the lyrics.

Kierran added: “Half of the video will be shot in a music studio in Witham where students will be lip syncing.

“Parts will be filmed at Market Field School as it’s great to show how we can all be accepted.

“It has the potential to be the most powerful thing we have done to date.

“Music is something that can touch so many people.

“Just having the opportunity to come into the music studio was everything. Parents were in tears.

“For them all to be accepted for who they are is great.”

The song will be available on YouTube and iTunes and a fundraising page will be set up to help fund the Multi-Schools Council.

The group has just been awarded £3,000 by Essex County Council to run a confidence building programme for children in north Essex.

It was set up on the back of a 100 day challenge by Essex County Council with a view of getting more children with special educational needs into jobs.

Kierran said: “Children with special educational needs lack self-esteem because of the way they are seen by others, and the lack of opportunities.

“Two young ambassadors, Mason Milne and Charlie Latimer, wanted to set this programme up.

“It’s being offered on three Saturday mornings for children aged eight to 11 and 12 to 15.

“It will focus on thinks like anxiety, speaking in front of groups and learning how to make the best of what they are good at.

“These children will feel more confident and will have a clear direction of what they want to achieve.

“We will then identify more children to deliver the programme to keep it sustainable.”

The confidence building programme is open to anyone.

Anyone interested in taking part can email mschoolscouncil@gmail.com to book a place.

The deadline for applications is December 20.