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Teacher's passion for hip-hop culture in schools

James Bennett Two bearded men side by side. One wearing a grey t-shirt, one wearing a black t-shirtJames Bennett
Musician Jaykae left Holy Trinity Catholic School, where James Bennett is an art teacher, in 2007

Leading artists from the Birmingham music scene are backing a teacher's ambition to get elements of hip-hop on to the national curriculum to support pupils who may be struggling in mainstream education.

James Bennett, an art teacher at Holy Trinity Catholic School in Small Heath, delivered a "Hip-Hop Healing" pilot event at the school last summer and has been given funding to create another event at the school in July.

He is now inviting government officials and education leaders to Birmingham to see his plan in action.

Last summer, Mr Bennett persuaded rapper and actor Jaykae to perform at his old school.

Reuters Three music artists on a stage with more than 20 dancers behind them. Their arms are outstretched and pointing towards the left. One male artist is wearing a while outfit, the female artist in the centre is in all black and the male artist on the right is wearing a pink jacket and trousers with white shirtReuters
Jaykae performed alongside Mahalia and Ash during the closing ceremony at the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games

"I can't lie, it was great to be back at the school for the first time in 17 years," said Jaykae.

"I've known Mr Bennett for a while and he had been on at me to come back and do something with the pupils."

He added: "You might not be the best at anything, but you need to find something in your life that you are good at."

Bearded man with a grey t-shirt singing into a microphone. He has tattoos on his arm and is photographed side-on
A man in a blue t-shirt and grey trousers performing a back flip on a blue mat
Jaykae, who has 292,000 followers on Instagram, is supporting Holy Trinity students alongside fellow rappers SOX, Trappy, T.roadz, Ess2Mad, Lil Choppa, Subzee and Krystatic.
Mr Bennett described the pilot event at his school as "my best day in education", adding: "This is about getting the kids to use the talents that they've got that people don't know about."

Mr Bennett said he believed the national curriculum needed to be "more inclusive".

"I've had kids who won't write anything down in English, writing poetry for three hours because they can hear a beat. Music can help so much and also act as therapy."

Growing up with dyslexia, Mr Bennett said he was "one of those kids once and found learning really difficult."

He said: "If you can tap into people's passions a bit more, you can make a bright future for kids and also give them the mindset that you can make a living from something you are passionate about."

Eight people in a line stood in front of a blue and yellow mural. They are all wearing back t-shirts or hoodies with the words Hip Hop Healing on the front.
James Bennett, right, signed up a team of breakdancers, beat boxers, dancers and street artists for the pilot event

Holy Trinity's headteacher Colin Crehan said he was "inspired" by Mr Bennett's work.

"I am convinced that increased investment in schools and encouragement to do this kind of work would make an enormous and positive impact on society and the lives of many young people," he said.

"Hip Hop Healing provides an enriched curriculum of dance, performing arts, music, photography, design and art which engages young people in a way that mainstream curriculum can struggle to at times."

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