World Opera Day: Celebrating creativity and the arts at Atkinson Road Academy

“The question for schools is no longer simply what enrichment we offer, but what difference it makes.”

To mark World Opera Day on 25th October, we're celebrating the opportunity pupils at Atkinson Road Primary Academy had to experience opera through Ada and the Code Crusaders, an interactive production by English Touring Opera (ETO).

Combining music, storytelling and audience participation, the performance gave pupils an exciting introduction to an art form they may not have experienced before. They learned songs and had the chance to get involved, making them part of the story rather than simply watching from the audience.

The experience was made possible through support from the Laidlaw Foundation, which funded opportunities for pupils across all Laidlaw Schools Trust Academies to enjoy opera last academic year.

It has been a particularly exciting time for arts education at Atkinson Road, which has recently been awarded Platinum Artsmark status. The award recognises the Academy's commitment to arts and cultural education and the positive role these experiences play in pupils' lives.

From discovering opera to exploring different forms of creative expression, opportunities like these give children the chance to try something new, find interests and enjoy experiences they might not otherwise have had.