ENO opens applications for free national schools’ composition programme
English National Opera (ENO) has opened applications for Finish This…, its free national music-making programme for Key Stage 2, Key Stage 3 and SEND learners.
The programme invites pupils to take on the role of ENO composers, creating their own musical response to a specially commissioned, deliberately unfinished operatic work. Designed to support collaborative composition in the classroom, Finish This… brings together opera, film and animation as a starting point for creative music-making.
Launched as a pilot project for KS2 learners in 2021–22, the programme is now open to primary, secondary and SEND schools across England. Co-created with teachers, it aligns with the national curriculum and is designed to be accessible to pupils with a wide range of musical experience and ability.
According to post-project surveys, 89% of teachers said they felt more confident teaching composition after taking part in Finish This…, while 93% felt their pupils had developed composition skills. ENO also reported that 96% of teachers felt pupils had increased their teamwork and collaboration skills, and 100% rated the teaching resources as either good or extremely good.
One Key Stage 2 teacher said the programme had ‘completely raised the profile of composing’ in their school, adding that it was ‘the most exciting project’ and had ‘broken down so many barriers’.
For the 2026–27 academic year, ENO will partner with One Education, the music service for Manchester, alongside continuing partnerships with Bolton Music Service, Wigan Music Service, Kent Music, Luton Music Service and South Coast Music Partnership. Schools in partner areas will be offered additional in-person opportunities, including teacher training and end-of-project celebration events for pupils.
More than 18,500 students took part in Finish This… during the 2025–26 academic year. ENO aims to reach 25,000 pupils in 2026–27.
Schools receive access to a teacher learning resource pack, operatic music performed by the Orchestra and Chorus of ENO, a composition toolkit with digital and printed resources, and online CPD and briefings for teachers. Submitted compositions receive personalised feedback from ENO and are displayed on the company’s website.
The programme is free for state schools across England. Independent schools can take part at a cost of £200 per class.
Applications close on Friday 10 July 2026.