Birmingham’s got talent

Pupils take centre stage at charity talent show.

The spotlight was on 32 pupils from across Birmingham yesterday evening, as they took part in the grand finale of a special talent show organised by youth social action charity, City Year Birmingham and kindly hosted by Holte School. All of the 13 acts had beaten stiff competition to represent their respective schools at City Year’s Got Talent Birmingham, with over 575 children from Lozells, Bordesley Green, Saltley, Handsworth and Yardley auditioning.

The acts ranged from singing, rapping and dancing to beatboxing, acrobatics and even drumming blindfold. Each had been supported by young volunteers from City Year, who’ve dedicated many break and lunch times to helping pupils prepare for their big night.

Aged 18-25, City Year’s volunteers are easily recognisable in their red jackets and have all given this year to help out full-time in local schools as mentors, tutors and role models. They boost children’s confidence and enjoyment of school and improve attendance, behaviour and academic achievement.

The standard was exceptionally high across the board, but it was Lozells Primary School which emerged the winner with Year 4 and 5 students Mustafa, Melody and Jahnaya wowing the audience with their rendition of anti-bullying song ‘Hopeful’ by Bars and Melody.

David Gibson, Head of Site at City Year Birmingham and one of the judges, said: “I thought this was City Year’s Got Talent but after that performance we should be looking at Britain’s Got Talent! I’d like to take this opportunity to congratulate all those who took part, from the early auditions, right through to the final – you’re all winners.

“This event is about building confidence and giving pupils a platform to show off their talents. Day in day out, our City Year volunteers are in school, encouraging pupils to do their best and believe in themselves – both academically but also through extra-curricular activities. City Year’s Got Talent is a really important part of that. I can’t wait until next year!”

Another group of primary school pupils summed up the mood: “We feel totally amazing because we’ve worked so hard to get here.”

Schools represented at City Year’s Got Talent Birmingham were:
· Lozells Primary School, Lozells
· Holte School, Lozells
· Marlborough Junior School, Bordesley Green
· Parkfield Community School, Saltley
· St Clare’s Catholic Primary School, Handsworth
· St Francis’ Catholic Primary School, Handsworth
· Yardley Primary School, Yardley