STUDENTS delivered a dazzling kaleidoscope of colour and music bringing a touch of carnival to class.
Pupils at Beaumont Hill Academy, Darlington, staged a Rio-style arts festival to celebrate the 10th anniversary of their school.
The event, opened by Darlington’s mayor and mayoress Brian and Doris Jones, took place at The Education Village, Darlington, featuring 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 brought 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 was our first ever arts festival and a great way to celebrate 10 years; the whole school was really excited.”
Headteacher of Beaumont Hill Clare Devine added: “It was an outstanding performance and the perfect tribute to the culmination of work throughout the term and workshops staged earlier in the day. We have had the most amazing festival.”
Linking in with the Rio Olympics later in the year, sporting events also took 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 helped organise the day, said: “The festival helped 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, were aimed at our students’ differing range of abilities assisted by our very artistic and creative teaching staff.”
