Feedback from schools who have participated in the

West London Inclusive Arts Festival

Fulham Cross at Ormiston Queensmill Academy

Developing a performance for the Royal Albert Hall has become an highly anticipated yearly experience for the pupils at Fulham Cross. Pupils are always so excited to share their work in such a prestigious venue with both friends and family. Despite the performance days being very busy and overwhelming, the attitudes and accommodation made by the RAH team means that they are able to safely engage with the excitement and business of the day. It is wonderful to see them in such an exciting and engaging performance environment when it is often assumed that this would be too overwhelming for them. Pupils, staff and families expressed such pride in their achievements and there was a noticeable increase in their self-esteem post performance; talking positively about their performance choices, audience responses and motivation to perform again. None of this would be able to be achieved without the fantastic, flexible and dedicated approach of the RAH. 

All the Festival partners were very focused on how they can support our students in being able to access the events. Taking into account our transportation needs and being very accommodating with timings that worked well for us was appreciated and essential in us being able to access the events. It was evident that much thought went into the organising and delivering of the festival and the expertise of all involved ensured that we were fully aware of what to expect which enabled the staff to be able to support the students to access all that was available. The students that participated enjoyed every aspect of the festival and the art activity at the Royal Academy of Arts was a highlight for many of the students. Having the freedom to be creative in such a large space was especially special as the space that we have at Queensmill for art is very small and limiting with the type of art activities that we can do.

Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee School

We had a wonderfully positive experience! Our learners felt engaged and empowered and there was a genuine sense of co-production between the schools, venues and artist organisations that led to some fantastic enjoyable work being created.

Springhallow School

- Very positive experience
- Students engaged in the workshops and loved working with and seeing the art work of other artists involved.
- Students loved performing, sharing their work and contributions to the whole event.
- Fun, exciting and inclusive

St. Ann's School

It was a great learning and community experience. Making whole school events have a very positive impact in the school community as it increases engagement with families. We had lots of parents telling us how much they liked it and most of the students had a really exciting and positive learning experience.

Cambridge School

It has been a fantastic year for our students at Cambridge School taking part in the West London All Inclusive Art Festival for 2025. All students that was part of the festival got engaged and focused on the project quite quickly.

This was due to us having a wonderful (welcome day) were all students within our community in the WLIAF introduce themselves by their school online, which students was extremely excited about, this allowed students to connect with other schools performing in the festival for the first time.

With that in mind, students were incredibly nervous about attending or taking part in the whole event but slowly started to enjoy the process by working together, communicating with their peers, solving any issues or problems and felt comfortable and empowered each time we came together for their rehearsals.

Students that attended the Royal Albert Hall for their 1-day workshop and 2-day performances will be something that our students will cherish and have made memories for a lifetime and are already wanting to perform again next year.

Students at Cambridge School that did not take part in the WLIAF this year had the opportunity to attend The Royal Academy of Art. This growth allows for more in-depth experiences for our young people which they also thoroughly enjoyed. It was our first time working with the RAA and I hope they continue to work with the WLIAF and John Lyons, so more students can also gain experience within the arts and the workshops provided.

Some of our students performing this year was year 7, 8, 9, and 11 students which have never performed or been on a stage before, so going to the RAH where dreams are made of as an artist was incredible for them all.

The West London All Inclusive Art Festival is a huge part in our school calendar where students that are not taking part, due to not having the confidence want to know more about the WLIAF and there is a great energy around the school, which is fantastic to hear, and I hope more of our students get to be involved in the future.

The impact of the WLIAF is something that can not be ignored and it holds immense value for our school community and the opportunities the festival provides our special needs schools for all students to be included.

The WLIAF has inspired and boosted students awareness to learn more about the creative arts within their lessons that they all learn in dance, drama, music, art, and our Creative Arts projects that is provided at Cambridge School, which is building momentum and strengthening each year.

We are incredibly grateful to receive funding from John Lyons and the impact that changes our student's lives through the creative arts.