The Brief

DESIGN a project that would tackle barriers to learning, improve academic success in the classroom and promotes intercultural dialogue.

DEVISE opportunities for students, and teachers from three rival schools and the wider community to build better relationships and feel a greater sense of cohesion.

 
“Through a genuine engagement with the arts the young people developed skills and self-esteem that have had a far-reaching legacy. ”
— Alison Mawle, National Gallery London

What We Did: Concept Development, Strategic consultation, Programme & Event Management, Teacher Development, Learning Resource, Conference Presentation

The Approach

SOURCE a Creative Consultant with African Caribbean heritage to identify cultural practitioners with historical knowledge and   understanding of the social significance of the cultural festival.

INTEGRATE the cultural arts across maths, science, citizenship and the visual arts. Core values of hope, unity and respect to underpin the programme and enhance community cohesion

DELIVER a Teacher Training programme on history of carnival, design & construction to embed the arts, science and maths across the curriculum. 

PROVIDE a programme of specialist workshops led by professional artists.

EACH school to host a programme of workshops to enhance hospitality and social awareness skills among students.

 

FILM: Overview of the Cultural Arts Programme and Event

Investigating the History of Carnival 

 

IN PARTNERSHIP with Trevor Blackwood from Nomad Creative Consultancy, a series of professional development sessions for teachers were delivered at the former Heritage of African Descendants Museum.

THE CREATIVE DIRECTOR identified a number of specialist artists, whose cultural heritage and experience reflected the values and the objectives of the programme, to lead the cultural elements of the training programme.

INTERNATIONALLY acclaimed Artistic Director Clary Salandy from Mahogany Arts explored the origins of carnival and the evolution of costume design from Africa to London. 

PHOTOGRAPHER Charlie Phillips shared 'The History of the Steel Pan' and the role of Claudia Jones in establishing the Notting Hill Carnival in London.

SARAH NUNN, the creative learning expert, delivered training on how to plan and integrate the elements of carnival into literacy, numeracy, science, art and citizenship. This session was accompanied with exploration of the learning resource. 

 

“The Teacher Development Day was great as it gave us an insight into the historical context of carnival.

The ‘What is Creativity Session’ provided the staff with a great focus on the value of arts to promote learning across the curriculum.”
— Sarah Beard, Deputy Head, Camelot School
“ The project manager was very confident, pro-active and inspiring. The use of different materials, design ideas were imaginative, use of colour & form were interesting and all the ideas can easily be adapted and modified for our school curriculum.”
— Mary James, Carnival Co-ordinator, St. Francis School

Artists' Workshops

OVER 10 weeks, 120 gifted and talented students from all three schools were selected to participate in a number of specialist workshops with professional artists and expressive arts experts.

EACH school hosted a workshop programme and welcomed participants into their unique learning environment.

WORKSHOPS included: Lead Affirmation Costume Design, Drumming, Dance and Performance Poetry that lead the opening ceremony of the carnival at Brimmington Park. 

The Public Event

1,200 teachers and students participating in the public procession

700 members of the public participated in the cultural arts programme of music, performance poetry and dance.

“The UPC Carnival Programme gave the children a greater sense of cohesion as a community by bringing parents, children and school staff together in a celebratory event.”
— Teri N’Guessan, Headteacher, Camelot

The Impact

RESPECT and understanding of each others' cultural differences and similarities - teachers explored the cultural heritage, identity and history of their students and the wider community.

AWARENESS of the deeper purpose and meaning behind carnival: a celebration of emancipation and freedom in African-Caribbean and African culture was revealed through the programme of workshops and training sessions. 

CREATIVE LEARNING was implemented in core subjects enabling kinaesthetic and visuals learners to excel. 

Teachers TV featured the project on TTV News as a leading example of the government's community cohesion directive. 

BARRIERS between schools were broken down through the workshops and final event. 

“3 Schools, 1, 200 Students, 150 Teachers, 11 Professional Artists, 700+ Public Participation, 4 Inset days for Teachers, 1 Learning Resource, 15 Specialised Workshops”

Conferences

SHINING LIGHTS: RESILIENT COMMUNITIES conference at the TATE MODERN showcased the UPC project as a model of best practice for uniting communities and inspiring learning through the creative arts.

SOUTHWARK COUNCIL featured the UPC project in their Beacon Status case studies publication as the programme engaged the wider community including the Mayor of Southwark, local MP's, community wardens, the police, local businesses and parents.

Creative Partners

  • Fitzroy Facey, DJ, Music Journalist & Founder of Soul Survivors Music Magazine

  • Metronomes Steel Orchestra, Steel Pan Ensemble

  • Charlie Phillips, Social History Photographer

  • Ancestral Hands, Drumming workshops