Land of opportunity

Both our lucky girls have been on fantastic courses this summer. In week one Alice went to a playscheme that included horse-riding and wall-climbing while Elsa did a week of singing. Then more recently Elsa's been learning backstage theatre skills. And meanwhile Alice has worked with a professional theatre company to devise and perform a play based on local childhood experiences of World War II. The kids interviewed elderly people, helped write the scripts and co-directed the play. Great stuff.

Elsa's backstage course culminated this week in a drama school performance at Barking Theatre where she assisted Lily the wardrobe and props master. She came out buzzing after tonight's performance and her first taste of a 'proper' job; "I felt really important mum and I had to be very organised".

She'll write a journal next week and then she should get an arts award accreditation that I gather can count towards university. I didn't know about this before so it's unexpected icing on the cake. Then imagine my surprise yesterday when the actor leading Alice's drama course said she might be eligible for an arts award too. Really? She's ten! Bonkers. And amazing.

Next up Elsa has a two day science school held at her (inner city comprehensive) school, hosted by Professor Brian Cox and some of his top scientist friends, because he's patron of her school. She's soooooo excited.

And guess what, it's all totally FREE. How lucky are we to live here. But d'you know what else? None of the courses the girls have been on so far have been fully booked. We'll wait and see about the science school of course but still, it's a crying shame that more people here in one of the poorest parts of London don't capitalise on these amazing opportunities for their children.

Of course there are complex issues and good reasons for some people; but for others apathy seems to be the real cause. It's sad but true and it means that people like us, who actually need these opportunities less, will continue to benefit from them most. But I'm not going to feel bad about that, I'll just continue to feel lucky.