Ed Balls, Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families, said:

“I know from first hand experience that there are many exciting activities in schools designed to unlock young people's potential.

Only the other week I saw a primary school in East Anglia where the walls, ceilings and doors were all covered in art work and at a secondary school in Birmingham I met young people training to be basketball professionals. In Stockport I met children with a real gift for looking after farm animals and in Kent I was treated to some extremely tasty spaghetti bolgnese made by some young people with special educational needs. These are just a few examples of things I have seen but I'm sure there are more out there. Every parent will agree with me that every child has a talent and I hope Shine will allow schools to bring every child together in a festival week and join the national campaign.”