LST Pupils Explore Opera Through Ada and the Code Crusaders

Pupils from four Laidlaw Schools Trust Academies recently enjoyed a memorable live opera experience as English Touring Opera brought its interactive production of Ada and the Crusaders to the North East.

Hosted at Atkinson Road Primary Academy, the performances welcomed pupils from Excelsior Academy, Thomas Walling Primary Academy and Westgate Hill Primary Academy, giving children the opportunity to experience live opera in a fun, engaging and accessible way.

The event was funded through Laidlaw+, an initiative to provide extraordinary experiences and build cultural capital for pupils across the Trust.

The interactive 45-minute production combined music, storytelling and audience participation, with seven professional performers encouraging pupils to take part throughout the show. Through imaginative staging and participatory songs, pupils developed valuable Skills Builder skills including Listening, Speaking and Creativity.

Experiences like this are incredibly valuable for our pupils. Opportunities to experience live performances and engage with the arts beyond the classroom help broaden horizons, build confidence and spark new interests and ambitions. For many pupils, this was their first experience of opera and it was fantastic to see them fully immersed, engaged and enjoying every moment.

Ahead of the performances, pupils learned songs in school using resources provided by English Touring Opera, while teachers were supported with lesson ideas and music activities to continue learning beyond the event itself.

The event also closely aligns with the mission of the Laidlaw Opera Trust, inspired by Lord Laidlaw’s passion for making opera and live music accessible to wider audiences through collaboration, sustainability and cultural engagement.

A huge thank you to English Touring Opera and all staff involved in making the experience possible for our pupils.