Art & Writing Festival

Since 2005 we have held an Annual Art & Writing festival giving children the chance to work together for a real purpose and audience. In addition, providing more writing opportunities addresses one of the key issues highlighted in our recent Ofsted inspections. In the summer term, all our children from Nursery through to Year 6 take part in a range of exciting and creative projects. The processes involved are just as important as the final products, and each classroom turns into a publishing house and art workshop for several weeks. The launch of the Festival usually involves a whole school visit to a London venue which is intended to stimulate the children and staff. So far the Horniman Museum, London Zoo and the V&A have been our destinations for this purpose and in 2008 we visited Kew Gardens. Over the last three years, we have had visits from the well known poet John Hegley, various storytellers, artists, the ‘Animal Man’ and many others who have inspired all the children to publish their own adventure stories, fantasy story books, write poetry, create their own masks, fabric panels and costumes. The culmination of our Festival is the exhibition of our work which has proved a roaring success with both parents and friends of Meridian and has appeared in the local press. You cannot fail to have noticed the art panels, murals, our enchanted garden, dragon drum wall, masks and costumes now on permanent display!