You see a building with an interesting facade. It’s got a modern feel, but hints of its past are still visible. This, my friends, is the Arts & Media School, Islington. It has a history that goes back to the Victorian era, a time when it was known as Montem St School. The building itself is a relic of that era, but its story goes far beyond its grand Victorian design.
The school wasn’t always known as the Arts & Media School. It was once called Tollington Park Secondary School and even George Orwell School, which is rather fitting for a school focusing on arts and media. It was only in 1999 that it adopted its current name, signaling a new era of creativity and expression.
The school has seen its fair share of changes. It was led by a ‘super head’ called Torsten Friedag, but he only lasted for two terms. Richard Ewen then became headteacher, and the school flourished under his leadership. By 2004, the school was deemed ‘effective and rapidly improving’. Today, the Arts & Media School is a vibrant and diverse community that fosters creative talent and academic excellence. It has produced notable alumni like the photojournalist Don McCullin and the singer Jermain Jackman, who you might recognize from The Voice UK. But its story doesn’t stop there.
The school isn’t just a place where young minds are nurtured, it’s also a place where stories are brought to life. In fact, the building was used as a filming location for the Academy Award-nominated film, ‘Notes on a Scandal’. Imagine actors roaming the halls, cameras capturing the atmosphere. Now, imagine that same building filled with aspiring artists, musicians, and filmmakers, learning the art of expression, ready to write their own stories. It’s a testament to the school’s legacy and its enduring presence in the world of arts and media.