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F E A T U R E S
Teddies this term has been alive with a sense
of possibility thanks to the celebration of
two important commemorations. The first
is the ten year anniversary of the opening of
The North Wall Arts Centre, and the second
the opening of the brand new Ogston Music
School. Facing one another on opposite sides
of South Parade, these two magnificent venues
testify to the rich cultural opportunities Teddies
provides to its community of pupils, parents
and OSE, as well as to the local arts scene.
The NorthWall
The North Wall is described by outgoing
Artistic Director Lucy Maycock as ‘an
extraordinary exercise in idealism’. The
past ten years have seen The North Wall
become a respected theatre on a national and
international scale, with a thought-provoking
and innovative programme embracing not
only theatre but also dance, music and the
visual arts. Yet it is also an integral part of the
School; the Dance and Drama departments
are based there so pupils use it every day
to learn and be supported in their arts
interests. Where the collaboration works
particularly well is that pupils benefit hugely
from sharing this fantastic learning space
with visiting professional artistic groups
and with the public, for whom the building
is a valuable educational and community
resource. And beyond all this, The North
Wall places creativity in education at the heart
of its mission and runs unique residential
programmes for young artists from around
the UK, free of charge.
‘Schools can easily be inward-looking but
the more connection they make with the
world on the other side of ‘the wall’ the
better it is for both their pupils and that
world,’ says Lucy Maycock. ‘St Edward’s
has led the way in understanding that and
combatting insularity. Schools should have
artists and designers and writers and musicians
coming on to the campus. They need that
fresh air. And artists need that conversation
with the next generation.’
Ten years on, we continue to be grateful
for those OSE, parents and friends of the
School who helped develop and launch The
North Wall Arts Centre’
HelpingYoung Minds Flourish:
Update from the Development Office
Enjoy the special 10th Anniversary programme at The North Wall by going to