Students from St Mark’s CofE Academy in Mitcham, part of Anthem Schools Trust, travelled into central London this week for an unforgettable trip to the capital’s Barbican Centre.
Year 7, 8 and 9 St Mark’s students attended a concert performed by the London Symphony Orchestra, giving them the opportunity to experience world-class music and deepen their understanding of orchestral performance.
The young people were encouraged to join in, with lots of audience participation such as clapping and stomping; the concert ended with a grand finale performance of the Star Wars theme.
The St Mark’s students attended the concert at the Barbican with other students from secondary schools within Anthem Schools Trust.
The trip was organised as part of Anthem Schools Trust’s new enrichment programme, Anthem Aspire, which is giving life-changing experiences to almost 8,000 students across its network of 15 schools.
The Music Without Limits element of Anthem Aspire aims to give every student the chance to experience high-quality instrumental tuition and music provision.
Commenting on the trip, student Ameera said to her teacher the next day: “Miss, we HAVE to do this again.” Another student, Raluca said: “I am now a fan of classical music and I want to be a conductor.”
Aimee Gallagher, Headteacher at St Mark’s CofE Academy, said: “It was wonderful for our students to be able to travel into London for this concert and we hope that the experience will have developed in them a passion for music and for performance.
“We very much look forward to offering many more social and cultural enrichment opportunities for the students at St Mark’s through the Anthem Aspire programme.”
Elma Lawson, Executive Director of Education at Anthem Schools Trust, said: “Music has the power to change lives. It develops confidence and self-belief, helping young people to develop their potential.
“This is why we are committed to giving our students the chance to attend professional performances like this so that they can experience the arts at the highest level and feel inspired by what they see on stage.”
David Hatchett, Chief Executive of Anthem Schools Trust, said: “Anthem Aspire is a crucial part of our commitment to making sure that every child, regardless of their background, gets access to transformative cultural experiences.
“By providing exceptional opportunities like this concert at the Barbican, we hope to bring learning to life, inspire students to aim high and support their success both in school and beyond.”
Anthem Aspire creates transformative opportunities for children to engage in sport, literature, music, and the great outdoors through four flagship projects, delivered in partnership with leading national organisations.
The aim of Anthem Aspire is to go beyond classroom learning and focus on the whole child, especially those from disadvantaged backgrounds, to give them experiences that enhance their personal development.
