Factory International is unlocking creativity and enhancing young people’s wellbeing with Factory International Schools – a pioneering, year-round creative learning programme for secondary school pupils across Greater Manchester. The pilot year of the school partnership programme comes to an end this week with ‘Takeover’, a celebratory festival on June 29-30.
Over the last year, 181 young people across five partner schools have created artistic work, public products and performances to share at the festival, alongside a selection of artists, workshops, performances and artwork co-curated with a collective of 20 young people. Highlights include an exhibition of Bruce Asbestos’ inflatable monsters, a showcase of student photography and short films created with the support of MMU’s school of Digital Art, free screen-printing sessions, movement and mindfulness workshops, and music from Manchester Camerata.
Launched in September 2023 as a pilot year, the Factory International Schools programme offers opportunities for young people across Greater Manchester to experience international art, music, theatre and dance as well as gain an understanding of the variety of creative careers within the creative industry.
Artists LayFullStop, Reece Williams, Femi Tahiru and Tallulah Millington were embedded into five partner schools – Levenshulme High School for Girls, Falinge Park High School, St Peters RC High School, Parrs Wood High School and Melland High School – to deliver weekly creative interdisciplinary workshops. The weekly sessions are designed to improve young people’s social and emotional learning, as well as building aspiration, ambition and wellbeing through year-round artist workshops, performance opportunities, work experience, field trips, and an opportunity to design the end of year festival.
Participants included pupils with limited access to opportunities in the creative and cultural sector, those at risk of expulsion, passive and disengaged learners, high achievers, and children with special educational needs.
Alongside the weekly creative sessions, schools programme participants also took part in Manchester’s co-curated festival The Welcome, learned about the themes of The Matrix whilst watching the spectacular Free Your Mind directed by Danny Boyle, experienced Robert Wilson’s Jungle Book, and contributed to the Women of the World (WOW) Festival. On Tuesday 25 June over 250 pupils from the participating schools visited Aviva Studios to share their art with each other and to celebrate a year of hard work and creativity ahead of this weekend’s festival.
Factory International Schools builds on the legacy of previous creative learning programmes from Factory International which last year saw three secondary schools from Manchester and Salford take part in a fashion show at Manchester International Festival inspired by the Japanese artist Yayoi Kusama who brought her largest-ever installation of giant inflatable sculptures to Aviva Studios for the summer – You, Me and the Balloons.
Sameed Rezayan, Head of Learning, Factory International says:
“Our Factory Schools programme aims to unlock creativity and enhance young people’s wellbeing, embedding artists in schools year-round to develop social and emotional skills through weekly creative workshops. But it’s also about supporting young people to have a voice. A collective of ‘leaders’ from each group were established to co-design and co-create what a youth-led takeover of the building could look like. This festival sees their wants, wishes and hopes turned into a celebration of joy, imagination and boundless potential. We are so proud of everything they have achieved in the last year and hope everyone enjoys the festival.”
Reece Williams, Artist and Creative Learning Facilitator for Factory International Schools said,
“I’ve seen first-hand just how transformative this project has been. We’ve seen the students become confident in their voices and how they express themselves on matters that are important to them. To play a role in delivering such an exciting scheme of work and to bring my own artistry to the table as a facilitator, reminds me of why I started working with young people in the first place! “
Femi Tahiru, Creative Learning Apprentice and Factory Academy Alumnus at Factory International said, “It’s been so amazing to see the growth in some of the students. From barely saying anything at all and being extremely shy on the first session, to evolving into the most energetic, confident, and outspoken students you will ever come across! It’s truly been an experience I will never forget, and I’m already looking forward to next year’s programme.”
LayFullstop, Artist and Creative Learning Facilitator said, “Having this unique experience working with young students in their school has been truly special. This program is testament to what can happen when you give students the space to not just be leaders but friends. I’ve learned just as much from the students as they did with us. Trust the process, keep learning and have fun!”
A student who participated in the Factory Schools project this year said, “I’ve learned confidence, leadership and bravery. When I was in Year 7 last year, I couldn’t even speak to my classmates like I wouldn’t even speak in front of you, I’d be nervous. Now I’ve spoken in assembly, so it’s really built my confidence, bravery, and leadership.”
A teacher at Melland High School said, “The impact this project has had on our young people has been huge. It’s also raised attendance and attainment; it’s created a buzz around the school. The students that are involved feel really special and a huge part of the project.”
