Students from Shireland Collegiate Academy have celebrated multiple successes at this year’s UK Schools Music Festival, securing two gold and one silver award.
The Academy’s Key Stage 4 and 5 choir and Elite Singers both achieved gold, while the Key Stage 3 choir was awarded silver, marking the school’s strongest performance at the festival to date. The results represent significant progress for the school’s music department, which first entered the festival’s competition two years ago and has since progressed from bronze to silver and now multiple awards.
Held as part of a national initiative to inspire young musicians and promote music education, the UK Schools Music Festival provides a platform for students across the country to showcase their talents. Performances are judged on musical performance, artistic quality, technical proficiency and ensemble cohesion.
Adding to the Academy’s success, student violinist Joshua achieved gold in the Senior Violin Solo category. His performance has since been submitted to Guildhall School of Music and Drama in London for consideration for the Guildhall Young Artists Prize.
Presented by the Guildhall School of Music & Drama, the Guildhall Young Artists Prize is a prestigious award open to solo category gold award recipients from live and video submissions. The initiative supports the creativity and development of young performers and recognises emerging talent from across the country.
Widely regarded as one of the world’s leading conservatoires, the Guildhall School of Music & Drama is ranked first in the UK for Arts, Drama and Music by the Complete University Guide 2025. Based in London, it is internationally recognised for its world-class training of musicians, actors and productions artists.
Academy Principal, Thomas Daly, said: “We are incredibly proud of our students and the standard they achieved. These results reflect months of hard work, commitment and real dedication to their craft. Seeing them recognised on a national stage was fantastic and shows what can happen when talent is nurtured and given the right opportunities.
“Music and the arts are taken seriously at Shireland. They play an important role in helping students build confidence, teamwork, discipline and resilience. They also support development both in and beyond the classroom, helping students recognise what they can achieve and provide experiences that stay with them long after they leave Shireland.”
Several members of the Academy’s choirs and singers are also part of Shireland Collegiate Academy’s Arts Aptitude Programme, which supports talented young people across art, drama and music. The programme offers enhanced arts provision alongside the full academic curriculum, providing students with access to specialist workshops, performances and extracurricular opportunities.
The programme is further strengthened through partnerships with professional organisations such as the Birmingham Hippodrome, offering learners valuable real-world experience in the creative industries.
Creativity is central to life at Shireland Collegiate Academy, running through classroom learning, extracurricular activity and performance opportunities. The Academy continues to place strong emphasis on the arts, encouraging students to think creatively, express themselves and develop the skills they need for the future.
