Chelsea pupils visit Parliament for Arts Education reception

Dr Simon Opher MBE MP

Pupils from St Joseph's Catholic Primary School in Chelsea visited the Houses of Parliament, last Tuesday, attending a reception hosted by the All Party Parliamentary Group for Opera with English National Opera (ENO).

The school is one of the Lead Schools for Music in the Tri-Borough (Kensington and Chelsea, Westminster, and Hammersmith and Fulham). Twenty pupils have recently performed at the London Coliseum in the English National Opera's production of La Bohème.

Alongside members of the ENO, the pupils spoke in Parliament and demonstrated the added value of a comprehensive enrichment programme in the Arts, explaining their experience of performing in ENO's La Bohème on the stage and how they benefited from it.

This was followed by Dr Simon Opher MP in conversation with Lesley Garrett CBE, soprano singer, musician, and broadcaster, who discussed with her the importance and impact of music on our physical and mental health.

Helen Wiles, Music Specialist Teacher and Leader of the Arts said: "Opportunities like this have a significant impact on our pupils. Their horizons are broadened; they are encouraged to dream bigger and consider areas of The Arts that may have been relatively unknown to them before. The children have matured a lot in a short space of time. The effect on their self-esteem, confidence and self-belief has been transformational. Opera is part of our musical culture now!"

James Stacey, Head of School, added: "After performing with the ENO, pupils further develop not just an 'I CAN do it' attitude, but perhaps most importantly a 'why not me?' attitude. They develop a greater resilience and 'growth mindset' (which we value and foster at school). It is not an arrogance that can come after, but an assuredness; and that is a good thing. In fact, the impact this can have on their future is almost immeasurable as the legacy of their involvement in such a wonderful project stays with them far past the time we wave them off to secondary school."