Islington Council is making it happen for every child and young person with the kind of opportunities that just don’t exist elsewhere – providing top-drawer music tuition and opportunities to perform on prestigious stages and opening the door to world-class cultural experiences. We take look in more detail at two life-changing programmes. 

Music Education Islington (MEI)

Since its inception in 2019, MEI – a pioneering partnership between the council and lead partner Guildhall School of Music & Drama – has reached 4,500 pupils from Reception to Year 13, opening up access to instruments and music-making, improving confidence and making a long-term impact. 

Last year, 1,500 children were learning an instrument in weekly sessions and a similar number of experienced inspirational musical assemblies from the Worshipful Company of Musicians. 

MEI has also given 50 pupils the incredible experience of performing at prestigious venues including Ronnie Scott’s, EartH and Pirate Studios as part of its Pop Pioneers programme. 

Hundreds performed in end-of-term concerts; 50 performed on major stages at the New Sounds Festival and Hackney & Islington Schools Festival, and 1,000 pupils sang together as part of the annual “Singlington” schools’ event at Islington Assembly Hall. 

MEI’s Open Orchestras ran in three special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) schools, helping pupils with complex needs to express themselves, play independently and communicate through music, improving engagement and focus. 

11 by 11

11 by 11 is the council’s commitment to making sure every child and young person in an Islington school enjoys at least 11 exceptional cultural experiences by Year 11. Many end up experiencing far more. At its heart, 11 by 11 is about making sure every young person, whatever their background or circumstances, has the chance to experience culture in all its forms in a way that is accessible, exciting and meaningful. 

Schools choose from a wide range of free opportunities, from theatre visits and private museum viewings to creative workshops delivered directly in classrooms. Since the programme began in 2019, more than 58,000 free experiences have been delivered to children and young people, ensuring culture is not a privilege but a meaningful part of everyday learning. 

Imogen Jarvis, a teacher at The Bridge Integrated Learning Space, a specialist school for young people with autism and different learning profiles, said:  

“11 by 11 has allowed us to attend theatre trips at Tall Stories Theatre and Little Angel Theatre, which a variety of students have loved attending, and these have filtered into sessions around the school – scrapbooking, communication, music sessions and sensory stories.”  

Imogen added that the school also took part in a five week programme with Almeida Theatre, which had a profound impact on their students: “There were initially four students and by the end of week five, there were 16 students accessing the session at different times. One of our ex-students was 17 at the time and we weren’t aware that they had an interest in drama and theatre. 

“They loved the Almeida sessions, were really engaged, and even found a prop from one of the sessions around the school, picked it up and took themselves to the space where the session had happened – showing that they had an amazing memory and a clear interest in attending again! 

“Drama and related sessions embed a variety of different areas of our students’ learning — communication, space sharing, developing interests and attention, building engagement and exploring narratives.”  

As 11 by 11 continues to grow in ambition and impact, its purpose remains the same – to open doors, spark curiosity and make sure every young person in Islington feels that the arts and culture is for them.

For more information on the Music Education Islington programme, see gsmd.ac.uk/study-with-guildhall/children-and-young-people/music-education-islington  

For more information on the council’s 11 by 11 programme, see islington.gov.uk/children-and-families/schools/11-by-11-programme