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Posted on March 3rd 2015
X Factor Band Makes Surprise Visit
X Factor band, “Brick City,” made a surprise appearance at our academy yesterday as part of a Life Skills and Drug Education themed school tour.
The band performed for our students and also delivered an Drug Education and Life Skills message - focusing on empowering students to make healthy lifestyle choices.
Brick City featured on X Factor 2013 where they reached the Judges Houses stage of the competition, with Gary Barlow as their mentor.
"Refreshing"
"I thought the group were very good," said teacher Sarah Thompson. "James' introduced the drugs awareness concept in a very accessible way, using examples of the peer pressure he experienced and how he was able to avoid getting involved. He explained the serious consequences of drug use and selling drugs and was able to engage the girls by reminding them that they always had a choice.
"I think the most refreshing thing about this drugs session was that they were not ex-convicts or drug users themselves. They all stated that they had never used drugs before and that they would be too scared. I am usually very keen on the shared experience approach but this was very different and in some ways just as effective.
"Open and honest about their feelings"
"The fact that they were all young, fresh, talented singers and obviously very attractive going by the girls' screams, meant that the girls were responding positively to very appropriate role models. The young men in this group were very non-threatening, not overtly sexualised and were very open and honest about their feelings and fears.
"I just thought it was very good that the girls were presented with an alternative 'urban' example of a young man and that the girls responded so positively."
Brick City have been compared to 'Black Eyed Peas' and 'Destiny's Child' with their blend of harmonies, unique style of melodies and the individuality of them being three men and a lady. They are now recording with the same producers as those who have worked with JLS, Alexandra Burke, and Lady Gaga.
