Picture: Richard Doughty Photography
STUDENTS are preparing for a dazzling kaleidoscope of colour and music as they bring a touch of carnival to class.
Pupils at Beaumont Hill Academy, Darlington, are putting the final touches to preparations for their first Rio-style arts festival to celebrate the 10th anniversary of their school.
The event, to be opened by the mayor, will take place today (on July 8) at The Education Village, Darlington, and will feature morning workshops in drumming, dancing, art, storytelling, animation, singing, mask making, photography, Japanese Manga drawing, papier-mâché, tin art, sculpting, felt art, t-shirt printing, jazzy hands dance and recyclable fashion.
Working together with students from Marchbank School, Darlington, pupils will then bring together all their new-found skills for a series of dance, drumming, music and fashion show performances in the school hall.
Students’ work created with artists from the Tin Arts organisation will also be showcased in the annual Darlington IncludFEST art festival which will take place in the town over the summer.
Head of English Mary Jeffery said: “This is our first ever arts festival and a great way to celebrate 10 years; the whole school is really excited.
“The idea is to create a day full of music, dance and art, which will hopefully continue to grow year on year and involve even more pupils from schools across The Education Village.
“All parents and carers of pupils will be invited to come and see the children taking part in the workshops and their performances later in the day.”
Linking in with the Rio Olympics later in the year, sporting events will also be taking place on the school playing fields led by Mowden Park Rugby Team player Darren Fearn and Beaumont Hill staff followed by an Education Village-wide Race for Life.
SEN teaching assistant Kayleigh Eddison, who is helping to organise the day, added:
“We are hoping that the festival will help open our pupils’ eyes to a host of experiences that they may never have had the chance to do before.
“All the workshops, including a stall manned by Darlington College, will be aimed at our students’ differing range of abilities assisted by our very artistic and creative teaching staff.
“I think everyone will get a real buzz out of seeing what the children can achieve and perhaps they will discover new experiences and skills that they can continue to take part in after the festival.”