Young talent shines out

Jun 30 2008 The Journal

EVENTS will take place across the North East this week as part of a national schools festival designed to celebrate talent in all young people.

Events in the festival, called Shine, will showcase dance, music, film, sport, science, enterprise and a host of less recognised talents such as caring and leadership.

Almost 100 schools in the North East have taken on the challenge of finding and celebrating a talent in each of the 40,000 regional pupils taking part.

Ed Balls, Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families, said: “Every parent will agree with me that all children have a talent and I hope Shine will allow schools to bring every child together in a festival week and join the national campaign.

“I know from first-hand experience that there are many exciting activities in schools designed to unlock young people’s potential. Only the other week I saw a primary school in East Anglia where the walls, ceilings and doors were all covered in art work and at a secondary school in Birmingham I met young people training to be basketball professionals.

“In Stockport I met children with a real gift for looking after farm animals and in Kent I was treated to some extremely tasty spaghetti bolognese made by some young people with special educational needs. These are just a few examples of things I have seen but I know there are more out there.”

Among the events happening in the North East this week is a concert at The Sage Gateshead called Big Sing Cry For Freedom, which will see more than 2,000 children come together to perform songs they have been learning for the past seven months.

In Yarm, Levendale Infants School is giving students the opportunity to add their own ‘Sparkle of Talent’ to a specially created Galaxy of Stars display, while in Darlington, Alderman Leach Primary School is hosting pottery workshops and archery demonstrations.

Teachers and pupils will also be challenged to try a climbing wall to test their physical and mental abilities.

Celebrities backing the festival include singer and Strictly Come Dancing winner Alesha Dixon, Olympic gold medallist Dame Kelly Holmes, original Apprentice winner Tim Campbell and Blue Peter presenter Andy Akinwolere.

Anyone wanting more information on the festival should go to www.shineweek.co.uk