English National Opera’s free schools’ music programme Finish This… now open for applications

The programme offers schools an opportunity to take part in a creative, collaborative music project designed to inspire young people and develop their musical skills.

Finish This… invites pupils to take on the role of ENO composer, creating their own musical response to a specially commissioned, purposefully unfinished operatic work. It aims to inspire young composers across the country by bringing a fusion of opera, film and animation into schools, as inspiration for collaborative composition work.

The programme, which launched as a pilot project for KS2 learners in 2021-2022, is open to all primary, secondary and SEND schools across England.  Co-created with teachers, the project aligns with the national curriculum and is suitable for all levels of experience and musical ability.

According to post-project surveys, after completing Finish This… 89% of teachers said they felt more confident teaching composition, and 93% felt that their pupils had developed skills in composition. 96% of teachers felt that their pupils had increased their skills in teamwork and collaboration, and 100% of teachers rated the teaching resources as either Good or Extremely Good.

One Key Stage 2 teacher said of their pupils’ involvement:
“Finish This… has completely raised the profile of composing in our school… It was the most exciting project, broke down so many barriers and was completely inclusive.”

Each year, ENO partners with selected music services across the country to offer schools in these areas additional in-person opportunities, including in-person teacher training and in-person end of project celebration events for pupils.

For the 2026–27 academic year, Finish This… will be partnering with One Education, the music service for Manchester, as well as continuing pre-existing partnerships with Bolton Music Service, Wigan Music Service, Kent Music, Luton Music Service and South Coast Music Partnership.

More than 18,500 students took part in the Finish This… programme during the 2025-26 academic year, with ENO aiming to reach 25,000 pupils during the 2026-27 academic year.

Application deadline: Friday 10 July 2026
Eligibility: KS2, KS3 and SEND learners

How to Apply:

Schools can apply using the following booking form: www.eno.org/engage/finish-this-booking-page/

Further Information: www.eno.org/engage/schools-young-people/finish-this/

*Finish This… is free for state schools across England. Independent schools are invited to participate at a cost of £200 per class.