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Former So Solid Crew member Ashley Walters |
Actor’s plea over school music scheme
Ex-pupil speaks out as future of prestigious performing arts course hangs in the balance
REFORMED bad-boy rapper and former Pimlico School pupil Ashley Walters has called on the its new sponsors to save a performing arts course.
The ex-So Solid Crew member, formerly known as Asher D, is a product of the Special Music course at the school. He said it would be an “absolute travesty” if sponsors Future scrapped the scheme when the school becomes an academy in September.
Previously 10 per cent of admissions have been based on pupils’ potential to learn musical instruments – a policy which has spawned a host of music industry glitterati including director of the Royal Opera House, Antonio Pappano, and Rodney Smith, better known as the hip-hop star Roots Manuva.
But the government will not provide the extra funding needed to keep the centre of excellence alive when Future take over the reins.
Mr Walters, 25, who has carved out a successful film and television career starring in hits such as Bullet Boy, Hustle and Life and Lyrics, said he owed a lot to the school.
“I loved the school and am very much aware of the fight that has been going on to keep it comprehensive, because my two sisters are still at the school,” he said.
“It is definitely something I support. I am still in touch with a lot of the staff who teach Special Music and they are very upset by what’s going on.
“It was the best thing about the school and a lifeline to a lot of pupils.
“Getting rid of it would be the wrong thing to do. It would be an absolute travesty and I hope they will do all they can to keep it going.”
The Department for Children, Schools and Families has confirmed it will not be funding the scheme next year, but is trying to secure money to allow pupils currently on the course to complete it.
Jenny Vuglar, vice- chairperson of Friends of Pimlico Special Music, said the school needs a “miracle” to save the course.
She said: “There is no change – no space for Special Music in the new building and no budging on the admissions.
“This means, in effect, closing the course down, because without the funding it would just become a rather good music department and not a centre for excellence which it is at the moment.
“This year’s applicants are likely to be the last unless some sort of miracle happens.”
A spokesman for Future said the sponsor was seeking funding from other sources. |
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