While many schools are scaling back arts programmes due to funding cuts, Lammas School, Leyton, part of the Griffin Schools Trust – a family of 13 schools, is hitting the high note, with students taking part in a remarkable series of composition workshops led by the Royal Over-Seas League (ROSL) – bringing world-class musicians into the classroom to inspire the next generation.
The ROSL workshops give students the rare chance to explore the voices of classical instruments up close. From the mellow tones of the French horn to the bright clarity of the violin, students are learning how each instrument contributes to the rich tapestry of orchestral sound. One enthusiastic Year 7 student summed up their experience: “It’s amazing to hear how each instrument can tell a story. I’ve never thought about music like this before.”
And the story doesn’t end there. At a time when arts funding in UK schools has fallen by 42% since 2010 (IFS Report on Education Spending, 2023), Lammas School is bucking the trend with a bold Music Strategy.
Thanks to a generous grant from charity, Restore The Music, every Year 7 student has their own instrument. Coupled with a partnership with Rythmico, providing inspirational specialist tuition from two peripatetic teachers, Lammas students benefit from resources that many schools dream of.
As the workshops continue, Lammas students are preparing to share their original compositions; a testament to what can happen when a community invests in the arts. In a climate of cuts, Lammas School is proving that music education can still thrive.
Head of School, Sarah Sawtell, said: “We believe music should be a right, not a privilege. Every child should have the chance to experience the joy and discipline of music. Our school is all about creativity, confidence, and providing opportunity.”
For more information about The Lammas School, please visit: https://lammas-gst.org/.
