A standing ovation for Ascent Trust’s inaugural Performance Festival!
What an absolutely spectacular day! After months of dedicated hard work and meticulous planning, the first annual Ascent Trust Performance Festival exploded onto the stage on 25 June at Sunderland Live (formerly Rainton Meadows Arena).
It was a truly unforgettable event, brimming with talent, joy, and a powerful celebration of the achievements of over 100 incredible young people with special educational needs.
Inspirational and powerful forms of communication
Young people from across Ascent Trust schools in Sunderland, Durham, Stockton, and North Yorkshire (including Barbara Priestman Academy, Portland Academy, Hope Wood Academy, Ash Trees Academy, and Mowbray Academy) joined forces with their wonderful friends from Springwater School.
They came together to showcase their amazing abilities through inspirational and powerful forms of communication, from creative movement to singing, dance, and music. The atmosphere was electric, with young people, colleagues, and parents/carers from each school filling the arena with cheers and heartfelt support.
Chris Zarraga, Director of Schools North East, commended the event: “This festival is a fantastic example of the power of collaboration and the incredible talent within our region’s schools. It’s inspiring to see young people with special educational needs given such a magnificent platform to shine.”
Special guests shared their encouragement and enthusiasm
The Trust were thrilled to have Jeff Brown (former BBC Look North newsreader) as their fantastic host. His enthusiasm for the performances and the opportunities given to these young people was infectious!
And for all the football fans in the house, Peter Reid (former Sunderland AFC manager) even made a special video appearance, sending his good luck and congratulations to everyone involved. How special.
Adding to the magic, some of our talented young people and alumni, now part of the Youth Company, delivered a stunning contemporary dance piece alongside our special guests, Gosforth Community Theatre.
“The sheer scale and success of this year’s event will take some beating”
The feedback has been phenomenal, echoing the incredible spirit of the day. Graeme Musson, Head of Barbara Priestman Academy, perfectly captured the essence: “All those in attendance couldn’t fail to be wowed by the sheer passion, skill and enthusiasm from all of the performers who bravely took to the stage.
“The genuine heartfelt support from the young people in the audience for their peers on stage was tangible, and the volume of the cheers and shouts at the end of each piece was spine-tingling.
“This is definitely something that colleagues and young people from Ascent will look to repeat next year, although the sheer scale and success of this year’s event will take some beating!”
Rachel Hargreaves, CEO of Ascent Academies’ Trust, shared her immense gratitude: “A very special thank you to Shelley Baxter for the idea, the planning and exceptional organisation. Wow, what an event!”
And the young performers and their families summed it up best:
- ‘I had the best time of my life.’ Tiago, Barbara Priestman Academy
- ‘It gave us the chance to do what everyone else gets to do without judgement.’ Chloe, Barbara Priestman Academy
- ‘It was moving and inspiring.’ Parent
- ‘It was a heartwarming afternoon.’ Parent
- ‘The show was fantastic and full of joy. Lovely to see representation from so many schools and a bonus Jeff Brown hosting the afternoon with so much enthusiasm.’ Parent
- ‘Everybody was amazing – it was such a heartwarming afternoon’ – Parent
- ‘Well done to all the performers, teaching staff and organisers. It was a brilliant show – very moving and inspiring, Thank you!’ – Parent
- ‘It was a fantastic day. Well done to all the performers’ – Parent
Adele Pearson, Director of Academy Improvement for Ascent Academies’ Trust and Head of Academy at Hope Wood Academy, perfectly articulated the feeling: “Wow, what an absolutely phenomenal afternoon filled with so much joy seeing children, young people, colleagues and families coming together to celebrate the diversity of talents of our amazing young people across our Trust in a wonderful Trust Performance Festival’.
Nadine Hudspeth, Ascent Trustee, added: “It was a joy, thanks to everyone involved, especially the talented young people who did themselves, their teachers, and families proud. Fabulous!”
Mike Finlay, Head Teacher at Springwater School, highlighted the impact: “Our students, and those colleagues in attendance, had a blast and came back a foot taller! Thank you to the organisers, bring on next year!”
Carolyn Morgan (former CEO, Ascent Academies’ Trust) shared: “It was a joy to watch – the enthusiasm of all the young people was infectious!”
And more parents praised the magic:
- ‘Absolutely fantastic show, everyone involved should be proud of themselves’ Parent
- ‘All was fantastic, amazing to watch, I think I cried all the way through, massive thank you to the staff’ – Parent
- ‘Well done, a magical performance from the children and not forgetting the teachers for all their hard work, organisation and endeavour’ – Parent
A huge round of applause to everyone who made this incredible event a reality – especially the talented young people who graced the stage with their passion and skill! We can’t wait to see what next year’s festival brings.
Ascent Trust is a Schools North East Partner Trust. If you’d like to find out more about our Partner School membership, click here.
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