From Classroom to Stadium: Year 10 Pupil Wows Crowd with Sam Fender

June 17th, 2025

Year 10 student Joe Bartley had once in a lifetime experience, with the opportunity to play alongside Sam Fender at St James Park in front of over 50,000 people. Joe is a regular busker on match days and is often found raising money for the charity Maggies and the Newcastle food bank outside of St James.  Joe impressed Sam with his dedication to not only his charities but his Music and Sam invited him to play the Song “The Borders” live on stage on Thursday 12th June. 

“ The experience was surreal, it all felt like a blur and it was over and done with so quickly. It was one of the best moments of my life and has inspired me to keep going and pursue my dream of being a professional Musician” 

Joe has recently recorded his first single “Now or Never”  which is available on spotify and apple music to download.  Joe has written both the music and lyrics. Joe has a natural talent for composing and writing lyrics and is something he  does alot in his spare time between gigs and buskers nights. We wish Joe the best of luck in his future gigs, definitely a future star in the making.