Earlier this term, nearly 2,000 Year 7 pupils were officially welcomed into the King Edward VI Foundation’s community of schools at a series of five Foundation Ceremonies.
Our annual Foundation Ceremonies celebrate the amazing diversity represented by the 13 schools across the Foundation but also reflect our identity as one organisation.
For the first time this year, the ceremonies were held in five of our schools, rather than at a central venue.
Every school in the Foundation contributed to the ceremonies through hosting or by presenting musical or spoken word items, making each event unique. From dhol players and singers to pianists, orchestral ensembles and a harpist, there was a rich variety of wonderful musical offerings from pupils across the Foundation. Spoken word contributions were equally varied and showcased talent in poetry, dramatised readings and inspirational speaking. The headteachers of each school, governors and senior leaders from the Foundation Office were also among those who contributed to the ceremonies. Pupils from Year 7 to Sixth Form were among those who took to the stage as performers or to read the Founder’s Prayer.
The new Year 7s were introduced to the story of the Foundation – past, present and future – and they left with a sense that they were part of not only one of the great institutions in our home city of Birmingham but also one of the most significant educational institutions in our country. From its 16th century origins in New Street to now having 13, and soon to be 14, schools across Birmingham, educating 1 in 10 of the city’s secondary-aged pupils, the Foundation is committed to building on its great history to make Birmingham the best place to be educated in the UK.
