This month we held our annual Academy Election to appoint student leaders and prefects for the next academic year. Music students in Years 10 and 11 provided live music as part of the event.

Students, who are all studying BTEC Music Performance, formed three bands to play a selection of music from different genres; artists included Oasis, Fleetwood Mac, Bruno Mars and Vance Joy.

Students are also members of the Rock and Pop Institute, which runs every Monday night at King James for young people from around the Bishop Auckland area. The Institute brings young musicians together from different schools, to develop skills in performance; alongside King James, current members are students at Bishop Barrington, Parkside and Wolsingham schools.

In September, the Rock and Pop Institute will be working on a new recording project. This will give members an opportunity to record a cover version of a favourite track, or an original piece, in a professional recording studio, and develop technical skills in mixing sound and adding effects.

Anyone who is interested in joining the Institute should email King James for further details.