Commonwealth Games Opening Ceremony puts supported learning students centre-stage

Supported learning students at Walsall College are taking part in the performance opportunity of a lifetime this summer.  They are joining dance collective, Critical Mass at the opening ceremony for the 2022 Commonwealth Games.

Eight students are currently in rehearsals for a dance performance taking place on 28 July at Birmingham’s Alexander Stadium.

“This will be the biggest performance of their lives, viewed by millions of people around the world as well as by 3,000 people in the stadium itself” said Lecturer, Tanya Lewis.

She continued: “Critical Mass are paving the way for our students to be part of an exceptional event, one that will be a both a college and performance career highlight for them, so they are determined to give it their all.

“We’re excited to see how well they progress and improve as performers over the coming months and how much further they can all go when they continue collaborating with Critical Mass on future projects.”

The Critical Mass collective is a new inclusive dance collective, based across the West Midlands for young people aged 16-30.  It is made up of disabled and non-disabled young people to show how genuine inclusion can be achieved in mega-events such as the Commonwealth Games.

Alice Sault is one of the students involved in the performance.  “They’re going to be 20 of us involved from different schools and colleges on the day.  At the moment we’re choreographing a piece at Walsall Dance Studio where we rehearse one a week.  I feel really lucky to be involved.”

Student, Thomas Wilson added: “This is so exciting for us.  We know we’re going to have lots of fun all the way through to the event but we also know we have to be focused.

“We already have lots of experience of this through the performances and productions we put get involved in here at the college.  It’s means we’ll be well prepared for the opening ceremony.  It’s going to be amazing.”