Jermain Jackman goes back to Finsbury Park school for talent show
Jermain Jackman with The Voice mentor Will.i.am : photo by Guy Levy - Credit: BBC/Wall To Wall
The Voice winner Jermain Jackman will turn judge tonight for the battle of the bands competition at his former school in Finsbury Park.
Pupils at Islington Arts and Media School (IAMS) in Turle Road will rock out on stage in front of the Hackney-born star for a chance to win time in a recording studio and tickets to Wireless Festival.
Eight bands with members aged 11 to 15 representing genres from metal to pop, will compete for the top prize.
Jermain, who was an A* student at the school, is working on his first album and plans to study politics in the US next autumn, but is taking the time out to give something back to his school.
Headteacher Diana Osagie said: “We run the competition every year but it’s usually just judged by the music and tech staff.
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“Jermain was a model student, he was one of those kids that wasn’t just academically bright but also a very constant young man.
“He took part in Battle of the Bands and the Pop Idol competition that we do as well, which he won in year seven, and it was his idea to come in and judge the competition.
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“He is coming back to support and inspire our students who all make and practise their music in their spare time on top of their school work.
“It’s hugely inspiring to see someone from a similar background to them, who wasn’t born with a silver spoon in his mouth, being so successful.”
After performing the bands will be judged by a panel of Jermain and a team of staff, with The Voice winner having the casting vote.
The first prize winners get the chance to record their own music with a day at a professional recording studio, while the second-placed band will pick up six tickets to Wireless this weekend.
