Classical music "gives calming feeling" to school corridors

24 September 2013, 11:47

A South London secondary school has started playing classical music in the corridors to make a more relaxed and peaceful atmosphere at busy times.

Chris Everitt, head teacher at Harris Academy Upper Norwood, told This Is Croydon Today that introducing classical music into his school's corridors "gives a calming feeling to the hallways."

"Surprisingly enough, the kids really like it," he added. "It has sped everything up. Lessons start on time and pupils don't miss any learning which is really important."

Music that can often be heard in the corridors include Chopin's Etude No. 1 in C major, and Vivaldi's Nisi Dominus.

Student Samantha Murfett, 12, commented: "It's really soothing and I'm more calm walking around the school."

The school was previously the subject of much scrutiny after a poor Ofsted report and the worst GCSE results of all Croydon schools. New headmaster Everitt has been brought in to make changes, and the corridor soundtrack is just one of several practical alterations that he has made to the school.