City of London Academy Highbury Grove, Islington

COLA Highbury Grove, Islington joined MiSST in 2013. We are proud to be the founding MiSST school and enjoy hosting workshops and events for young musicians across North London.

In the coming year we will have 670 students on the Andrew Lloyd Webber Programme studying violin, viola and flute in Music For All classes, and many different orchestral instruments in Music Specialist School.

In 2022-23 we were overjoyed to be able to return to live concerts, which were held in the Autumn and Summer terms. Our senior and advanced musicians also participated in a National Youth Orchestra day and MiSST concert at the South Bank, while Years 7 and 8 had the opportunity to meet other schools when we hosted a MiSST Together day. Meanwhile our promising young rock and pop musicians in School of Rock club stormed the "Live in the Churchyard" outdoor stage at St Mary-Le-Bow for the second year running. In the sixth form our young composers have been busy entering (and being commended in) multiple competitions as well as composing for a theatre show devised by students, 'The Void'. We were delighted to see two Year 13 Highbury Grove students who are veterans of the ALWP jointly win 'MiSST Young Musician of the Year' at the South Bank concert this year.

Quote from Curriculum Leader, Kate Dornan:

“ALWP and all things MiSST continue to enrich the lives of Highbury Grove students - opportunities such as performing on the Queen Elizabeth Hall stage, taking part in residential trips at Radley College, and learning all kinds of instruments - from the horn to the bassoon - simply wouldn't exist for many of our young people otherwise. It is lovely to watch the strong relationships that develop across year groups and schools through taking part in MiSST activities, and to see students inspired to create their own music to perform with their peers."

Quote from Josh, Year 7 Student:

"The thing I love about playing my musical instrument is that I always get better. At the beginning of year 7 I was excited about the music programme because there were so many experiences. My highlight of music in Year 7 has been progressing with my musical instrument. The music programme has had a positive impact on my school life because I got to play a new instrument​."

Quote from Head Teacher Aimee Lyall:

"Music has the power to transform and shape lives.  It connects individuals and for our students it integrates them into the wider life of the school.  Music builds character - resilience, discipline and confidence.  The access to a classical music education that MiSST provides is second to none and is an aspect of our provision that we are most proud of - because it makes a daily difference.  Whether our students are beginners or accomplished performers, the programmes that MiSST provides cater for all, challenge all and support all.  All young people should have the opportunity to learn to play a musical instrument and MiSST has made that possible for the students of Highbury Grove."