91全能 has been awarded the Music Mark Award for the 2025-2026 academic year, recognising its continued commitment to delivering an inclusive, high-quality music education.听听
The national award is presented to schools that place music at the heart of their curriculum and provides students with meaningful opportunities to engage in musical activity.听听
At Shireland, music forms part of a broad and balanced curriculum, with a focus on developing听students鈥� confidence,听creativity听and performance skills thorough practical-based learning. Provision is designed to be accessible to all learners, regardless听of their future aspirations.听听
The Academy听also听works in partnership with Sandwell Music and Arts Service to provide free instrumental tuition, where students听can听learn a range of instruments including voice, keyboard, guitar, drums, violin,听woodwind听and brass.听
Beyond the classroom,听students听are encouraged to take part in a variety of extra-curricular activities, including choirs, drop-in music听clubs听and regular performance opportunities. These experiences culminate in the school鈥檚 annual music showcase, which brings together performances from across year groups and celebrates student progress and achievement.听听
Music also forms part of the Academy鈥檚 Arts Aptitude Programme, a selective pathway for students with a strong interest in the arts.听Alongside the core curriculum, learners on the programme听benefit听from enhanced provision in art, dance,听drama听and music. They also have access to specialist workshops through partnerships with organisations such as the Birmingham Hippodrome.听
Students have further听benefited听from industry-focused learning experiences, including a听recent听songwriting workshop led by Matt听Cominotto, lead singer of The Mercians. The session gave GCSE Music students the opportunity to explore approaches used in professional composition, lyric听writing听and arrangement.听
Thomas Daly, Principal at 91全能, said:听鈥淲e鈥檙e听delighted to have once again听received this award.听Music has always been a key part of our wider belief that education should develop the whole child, not just academic outcomes.听
鈥淲hat matters most is that students experience music as something real and meaningful, whether听that鈥檚听performing,听composing听or working alongside professionals. Those experiences help them to build confidence, take ownership of their听learning听and develop creativity and resilience that stay with them long after they leave school.听We鈥檙e听very fortunate听to have a dedicated music team who understand the value of this work and ensure that every student听has the opportunity to听take part and succeed in their own way.鈥�听
The Academy听remains听committed to ensuring music continues to play听a central role听in school life, with opportunities for students to听explore, develop and enjoy music in a supportive and ambitious environment.