Sydney Russell is proud to announce that it has become an Associate School for a new pilot with Barbican Guildhall Creative Learning. The new arrangement will see School working on a host of fascinating creative and cultural activities over the next three years at both the Guildhall School and prestigious City of London arts venue the Barbican.

The first year will see students take part in all the existing Barbican Guildhall Creative Learning programmes before developing their own arts projects over the next two years. Already, students and teachers from Sydney Russell have been involved in a number of projects with the Barbican Guildhall from Barbican Box, which supports schools and colleges to create new theatre, music or art, and back-stage Barbican theatre workshops with the Royal Shakespeare Company. They have also had the opportunity to watch an open rehearsal by Dance Umbrella at the Centre.

“We are over the moon to be working with such a world class arts institute, but more importantly, this is very exciting for our students. Living so far from central London means many of them do not always have access to places like the Barbican, or the events that take place there. The fact that we will be hosting the Barbican here and our students will go there to take part in projects should encourage more of them to engage with such centres and the wonderful arts offerings they have”, said Principal Janis Davis.

The Associate Schools programmes is a school-wide approach that will try and inspire senior leaders to harness the power and value of creativity in educational settings, and widen access to the arts for all young people.

Jenny Mollica, Head of Barbican Guildhall Creative Learning, said: “Our Associate Schools programme helps primary, secondary and special state schools to embed arts and creativity across the curriculum. We are delighted to be working with Sydney Russell to create unforgettable learning experiences for their students through the opportunity to engage with world-class arts, access some of our most in demand artists, and discover their own creative voice.”

Over the next three years, Sydney Russell along with two other schools in East London will design, develop and deliver a number of major activities, events and projects with the expertise and resources of the Barbican.