Hay Festival has a presence in Peru, Columbia and Hay on Wye, amongst other locations, but, for the first time ever, the vibrant tents and flags of this world-renowned Festival have appeared at a Hereford school!
St Thomas Cantilupe Church of England Primary School arethe host of an exciting new residency, supported using public funding by the National Lottery through Arts Council England and The Elmley Foundation, bringing a week of immersive creative workshops to its pupils.
From drama and Indian dance to poetry, music, and art, students are working alongside professional artists to explore their creativity: Toni Cook, a dynamic drama artist from Hereford, brings years of experience in engaging young people through interactive theatre and storytelling.
The current Children’s Laureate Wales, Alex Wharton, an acclaimed poet and author, is inspiring children with his passion for creative expression. Sonia Sabri, a celebrated Kathak dancer and choreographer, is supporting the children to learn traditional Indian dance and contemporary movement.
Aaron Diaz, a talented musician, is building on work from the school partnership with Hereford Cathedral’s choral scholars, with his expertise in composition and performance.
Sarah Morton, a skilled artist who runs from Arts Studio Ross, is guiding the students in exploring visual arts, using innovative techniques.
Andrew Purvin, an internationally renowned puppeteer and puppet maker, will support the children to bring their visions to life.
The week will culminate in a special showcase, where children will present their performances and artwork to an invited audience of parents and guests.
This residency is part of Hay Festival’s outreach initiative, designed to engage underrepresented communities and inspire a lifelong love of the arts.
By bringing the festival directly into schools, the project aims to nurture creativity in young people who might not otherwise have the opportunity to participate.
St Thomas Cantilupe School has been a partner of Hay Festival since 2023, with pupils enjoying art workshops and author-illustrator events at the festival itself, as well as pre- and post-festival creative sessions, deepening its connection to the arts.
Headteacher Asha Begley said: “This residency is a shining example of how long-term creative partnerships can transform learning. The Hay Festival has inspired both staff and pupils, building on our commitment to the arts. The project perfectly aligns with our school vision ‘Shine Bright Your Light’ and we can’t wait to see our students showcase their creativity.”
Hay Festival Global CEO Julie Finch said: “Hay Festival is for everyone. Our mission is to provide accessible platforms for audiences to engage with culture and exchange new ideas. Our learning and engagement projects are a critical part of this and we are grateful for the support from the National Lottery through Arts Council England and The Elmley Foundation, and our Patrons, Benefactors and Chair’s Circle, to enable this to continue and flourish.”
One of the world’s leading cultural charities, Hay Festival was founded in Hay-on-Wye, Wales in 1987, providing audiences with dynamic platforms to come together to share ideas, different perspectives and provoke conversations that can create a better world.
As part of its mission, Hay Festival works year-round in the UK and around the world to offer free access to events for audiences in need, including successful engagement programmes for young people, reaching more than 15,000 pupils annually.
