Next Monday, Isaac Newton Academy in Ilford will take part in a concert being held at the Barbican Centre in London to showcase young musical talent.

750 pupils from 24 different academies will be performing a mixture of classical, popular and world music pieces in Europe’s largest performing arts centre, the Barbican.

Some of the children have been practising their pieces for as long as a year and have never been to Central London before.

Bryan Welton, Director of Music at ARK Academies, said: “We believe every child can be a musician, and through music pupils become curious for all the world has to offer and will succeed not just academically, but develop emotional resilience too.”

Ayodeji Ijishakin, a Year 10 student from Walworth academy, said: “When I was younger, I just started feeling and hearing music. “Some of the people who inspire me are John Coltrane and Miles Davis.

“Music is a bit like food, but a different sort of nourishment.”

Schuyler Audley-Williams, a Year 4 pupil said: “I’m performing in a samba band. I also sing a school choir. When I get to university I want to be a surgeon, but I also want to be a singer at the same time.”