Latest News

Musical education is being relaunched to give creative young people in Epping more opportunities to perform and develop.

Epping St John’s Church of England School is investing in the musical opportunities it offers to students with a boost in its resources.

Cristin Casey, BMAT director of performing arts, is focusing on expanding the department to be able to offer students the choice of various musical qualifications, as well as giving them chances to see live performances and to take to the stage themselves.

Musical opportunities launched at the school for students this academic year include –

• the choir performing at Carols on the Green in Epping on Christmas Eve
• Aladdin’s 3 Wishes Pantomime Competition with students challenged to design a piece of work around Aladdin, with a chance of winning a musical theatre performance at the school
• a free trip to see Harlow Orchestra perform
• the launch of a show choir bringing singing and dancing together in the style of musical theatre
• taking part in the BMAT Battle of the Bands competition against peers from Burnt Mill Academy, Forest Hall School and Royal Docks Academy

Mrs Casey said: “We are putting on a full offer of traditional and contemporary music-making opportunities for our students with a view to boosting the uptake of music at GCSE. We want to be a hub of cultural education in Epping.

“Students are choosing to stay behind after school to take part in music; they are so excited to have that chance. I have come in and asked students what they want to do and I will make it happen for them. We will share the resources we have at our schools across the Trust to ensure all students have the same opportunities.

“This is a fresh start for music at Epping St John’s. We have lots of Year 7 students coming in with lots of experience gained at primary school and they are keen to build on that. We want to encourage young people to continue with the arts and to take the skills they learn from creative and cultural education into whatever their chosen career might be.

“My motto is to find what you love and do more of it. We have lots of excited young people who have discovered their love of music at Epping St John’s.”