Bolton School is involved in the local community in many ways
and further examination of our public benefit portfolio can be
viewed here.
Some of the key areas of community involvement undertaken by the
Boys' Division are outlined below.
Community Music
My role as Head of Community Music is to take Bolton School
Boys' Division Music into the community and to invite local schools
and musicians into our school to share in our music making. This
job began in 2007 and since then many schools and organisations
have been keen to get involved in what we have to offer.
Bolton School Boys' Division Music Department is currently very
active within the local community and beyond. We are very keen to
share our facilities with local primary schools and regularly have
them joining us for our autumn and summer concerts. This year we
have invited Eagley Primary School and St Brendan's RC Primary
School to perform in our Autumn Concert and they will join our year
8 pupils to sing a medley of 'Beatles' classics.
Last year we took many of our ensembles out to perform at local
schools: our Year 9 Percussion Ensemble performed at Brownlow Fold,
Clarendon and Chorley New Road primary schools; our Joint Junior
Concert Band gave a concert at St Paul's Primary School,
Hoddlesden; and our Intermediate Guitar Group entertained the
children at Markland Hill Primary School. Our Joint Jazz Band also
regularly performs at corporate events and recently provided music
for a ceremony at Bolton University.
It is also good to invite musical talent from other local
secondary schools to share in our specially organised workshops.
Earlier this year, members of the Northern Chamber Orchestra came
to Bolton School to direct a workshop for wind instruments. We were
delighted to welcome musicians from Canon Slade School and
Rivington and Blackrod High School to join us for the day and the
students later performed two pieces written for the occasion by
Michael Pain and Ben Smith, in a concert later that evening.
Recent events have included a song writing workshop presented by
Chris Difford from the band 'Squeeze; a Guitar/Percussion workshop
led by Craig Ogden (RNCM) and Paul Tanner; and a brass workshop
given by 'Travelling by Tuba'. We are looking forward to a third
visit from Craig Ogden in the spring term, who will direct a
classical guitar workshop for our students and students from local
schools.
The Music Department supports many local and national charities
through performances both in and outside school. The Advanced
Guitar Group performs annually at the 'MacMillan Cancer Support'
Christmas Concert at Manchester Cathedral; our Joint Jazz Band
recently performed at a fund raising event in aid of Manchester
Children's Hospital; and our annual 'Battle of the Bands' which has
been judged by DJs Andy Peebles (2008) and Mark Radcliffe (2010)
has raised money for a local charity '1C2C' and also 'Buskaid',
supported by the Halle Orchestra.
The Manchester Guitar Circle has now established the Arts Centre
as its primary venue for their 'International Guitar in Bolton'
series which draws audiences from the local community and also from
all over the North West. Our own Guitar students and guitar
students learning at Bolton Music Service are offered free tickets
to these concerts.
We have recently established links with the Bolton Parish Church
and many of our students have performed at their 'Lunchtime
Recital' series, which is always well attended.
Beyond the local community, our Advanced Guitar Group reached
the finals of the National Music for Youth Festival held in
Birmingham earlier this year and our Joint Senior Guitar group,
Joint Senior Concert Band, Joint Jazz Band and Joint Chamber Choir
regularly go on tour to European destinations.
We are looking forward to introducing a new lunchtime concert
series in March 2012 in the Arts Centre which will feature local
musicians and will be free of charge to the public.
Anybody wishing to get involved in our community music
activities should contact me by telephone on 01204 840201 ex 391,
or by email jcb@boltonschool.org
Mr Jeremy Bleasdale, Head of Community
Music
Sixth Form Community Action
All Sixth Formers are actively encouraged to give at least
twenty hours of their time to supporting their local communities. A
Volunteering Fair is held in September, where students are given
the opportunity to meet with local organisations and make decisions
about the kinds of voluntary activities they might pursue. There
are strong links with external bodies including Greater Manchester
Youth Network and Bolton Lads and Girls Club. Students are involved
in mentoring and taking leadership responsibilities in a number of
areas, including the Saturday morning SHINE project, working with
local primary school children. Opportunities to contribute to
volunteering in a wider context are also pursued, with our students
representing young people on the Bolton Youth Action Team for
vinvlolvedbolton.
These achievements are recognised and celebrated through a
Bolton School Award Scheme, with our partners in the Girls
Division. In addition, the range of activities undertaken support
the acquisition of other awards, including the nationally
recognised V50, the Duke of Edinburgh's Awards and the John Muir
Environmental Award Scheme.
We believe in the ethos of service, and value the qualities it
engenders in our Sixth Formers. They genuinely enjoy the wider
aspects of contributing to their community, and 75% of those
surveyed expressed a desire to continue their commitment in the
future. Their efforts really do make a significant difference.