Anglian Learning joins forces with Stapleford Granary for Inspire25

Inspired by Wayne Anderson’s award-winning illustrations from The Tin Forest, 11 primary schools from Anglian Learning came together at Stapleford Granary for a transformative three-day event.

Each school was invited to attend across the three days to take part in a 60-minute immersive musical and theatrical experience. Guided by an experienced team of artists and practitioners from Anglian Learning and Stapleford Granary, The Tin Forest encourages pupils to step inside the story through movement, listening, sound, and song. From mechanical birds and human sound machines to body percussion and choral singing, pupils became part of the story itself.

A woman with short, blonde hair is standing with a number of children dressed in school uniform. They are circled around a tall, thin metal structure. They are tying small paper leaves to the structure in a darkened room.

The experience unfolded against a backdrop of projected images, theatrical lighting, and a bespoke soundscape featuring a blend of original recorded music, live performance, sound effects and a specially composed mechanical tin forest.

Kate Romano, CEO and Co-Artistic Director of Stapleford Granary, said, “This project is at the heart of our cultural education work. Immersive theatre blurs the boundaries between performance and reality, and our production of The Tin Forest invites children to step out of their comfort zones and into the narrative, becoming active participants in a multi-sensory experience, evoking a strong sense of connection and engagement.

A women with short, brown hair and wearing a long black dress is standing on a podium with has a laptop placed on top of it. Behind her is screen with a flower made out of metal and a bright, yellow bulb in the middle.

“The blend of music, images, light and sound is compelling, aspirational and exciting, and most of all, wholly inclusive; all children can make music in The Tin Forest, and their voices are heard.”

Emma Mason, Music Subject Lead at Linton Heights Junior School, part of Anglian Learning, said, “Inspire25 enabled over 500 pupils from across our eleven primary schools to share the joy of creating something extraordinary together. The opportunities provided by twinning a multi-academy trust with a specialist arts centre are uniquely exciting, and our shared ambition to inspire creativity without barriers or restrictions, has allowed our pupils to be creatively curious and find a place of belonging.”

Two pupils are standing at a desk. One is wearing a red jumper and pink headband. The other is wearing a white polo shirt underneath a grey dress. They are completing a wordsearch. They are smiling at the camera.

Anglian Learning holds a formal partnership with Arts Council England and is committed to embedding arts and culture across its academies. The Tin Forest presents a unique opportunity for Anglian Learning’s Schools to enrich, develop and enhance their pupils’ arts education, in collaboration with Stapleford Granary, an established and inspirational external specialist Arts provider.

Laura Rawlings, Deputy Director of Primary Education at Anglian Learning, said, “I have had the privilege of working closely with Stapleford Granary through the twinning project ‘Small Grains’ during my tenure as headteacher of the local primary school. As a Trust that prioritises providing empowering opportunities, we are incredibly grateful to the Granary for providing this unique experience for our pupils”.

A women with long brown hair and wearing a black suit jacket is standing at a desk. She is watching two pupils playing snakes and ladders.

Anglian Learning provides inclusive education and equal opportunities, celebrating differences and supporting learners of all abilities and backgrounds. It is continually seeking to embed creativity and arts opportunities at the heart of its work. The Tin Forest has been created especially for its primary schools and embodies their four Core Values of Aspiration, Community, Empowerment and Inclusivity.

Written in 2010 by Helen Ward, The Tin Forest is a poetic modern fable; an inspiring tale about hope, perseverance and the power of dreams. In a world of junk and forgotten things, an old man dreams of a lush, green place full of life.