My school is getting creative with a private partnership for its arts provision

The director of the V&A, Tristram Hunt, recently said that a “horrible disparity” was opening between state and private schools in arts education. Photograph: David Hartley/Rex/Shutterstock

As a state school head in one of the most deprived areas of the country, I fully recognise Tristram Hunt’s comments (‘Horrible’ disparity emerging in cultural education in schools, says V&A head, 26 June). At the London Academy of Excellence Tottenham, our mission is to tackle exactly these socioeconomic problems, and our answer has been close partnerships with the private sector.

Bucking the national trend, we are introducing music and theatre studies A-levels alongside our growing art department, through teaching from our lead educational sponsor, Highgate school, and facilities provided by Tottenham Hotspur FC. Many of our alumni are embarking upon academic studies in creative fields, which can lack representation from communities such as Tottenham. Next week, our students are running an educational conference on social mobility, working with their counterparts at Highgate. “Bridging the Gap” will engage speakers from across the political spectrum, including David Lammy MP and the education minister Robert Halfon. I am hugely proud of our students’ commitment to breaking down boundaries.
Jan Balon
Head, London Academy of Excellence Tottenham

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