Mulberry Festival of Arts

The Mulberry Festival of Arts is one of the Mulberry Schools Trust’s flagship annual events, bringing together students, staff and partners for a vibrant celebration of creativity, collaboration and community involving every school in the Trust. Rooted in the Trust’s values, the festival provides a platform for students to present their artistic achievements, explore pathways into the creative industries and experience the excitement of performing for a live audience.

The festival showcases the full breadth of arts education across the Trust. Audiences enjoy a 90-minute theatre performance featuring drama, dance, music, spoken word and ensemble work from all Mulberry schools, while an extensive exhibition transforms the Studio Theatre into a gallery of student artistry from fine art and design technology to animation and film. An immersive light and sound installation, designed and built by the Mulberry Production Arts Academy (MPAA), expands the experience further, demonstrating the technical innovation and ambition of our young designers and technicians.

A cornerstone of the festival is the opportunity it gives MPAA students to take a production from concept to stage. They lead on everything from installing exhibitions and programming lighting cues to running each performance with professionalism. During the festival they are responsible for calling the show, operating sound and lighting, and managing backstage transitions. This hands-on experience equips them with essential industry skills, confidence and insight into careers in the creative sector.

Now in its third year, the 2025 festival was a celebration of music and spoken word. The event was a resounding success and featured a guest performance from West St Leonard’s Primary Academy. Above all, the event reaffirmed the Trust’s belief in the transformative power of the arts and its commitment to nurturing creative talent.