London schools carnival group, formerly known as Lambeth schools carnival group, was set up in 1994 as a result of a carnival arts project in six primary schools in Lambeth, funded by Lambeth Education Department and London Arts Board. The group is a non-profitmaking organisation with published principles, aims and objectives and an agreed constitution.

Principles, aims and objectives

1. To promote and advance the understanding and development of Caribbean carnival in schools, colleges and community settings, as an outstanding example of Caribbean culture.
2. To promote and advance the understanding of the history and significance of carnival locally, nationally and internationally through linking projects with schools.
3. To initiate and co-ordinate educational activities relating to carnival and carnival arts.
4. To teach children and young people the arts of carnival, to encourage them to take pride in their achievements and to help them appreciate the cultural heritages of the Caribbean.
5. To work with teachers and educators to develop their understanding of carnival, in order to develop good practice in the delivery of carnival projects as an educational and cultural activity at the highest level.
6. To work in partnership with statutory and voluntary associations, educational establishments and arts and community groups in an effort to promote carnival arts.
7. To work closely with carnival artists, bands and mas camps, to encourage the active participation of carnival artists in educational projects.
8. To produce resources and materials which will support carnival education work, including photographic displays and teaching packs.
9. To create networks of teachers, artists, carnival practitioners, parents and educators to further the aims of the group.

Our work so far

The first undertaking of this group was to produce a 'Carnival in schools' exhibition, documenting the work of carnival artists, children and teachers in Lambeth primary and special schools. This exhibition toured the libraries and schools in Lambeth and is now used on courses at Goldsmiths.

A futher mobile exhibition on 'Carnival in the early years', using the Foundation stage curriculum and the 'Quality in Diversity' framework for early learning (published by Early Childhood Forum and National Children's Bureau) was produced in 2002-3.

In 1999 the group successfully bid for further funding from Lambeth Endowed Charities to produce a 'Carnival in the Curriculum' teaching resource pack, which was distributed to every school in Lambeth. This pack was later revised and reprinted and sold nationally in order to recoup costs. The pack proved very popular and was quickly sold out.

In 2000-2001 two of the group members were involved in a teacher exchange project between a school in Lambeth and a school in Trinidad, focusing on the development of carnival. This was funded by the Central Bureau (British Council) and an account was published in their annual report for 2000-2001.

In 2002 the group again successfully ran a project in 6 schools in South London, working with carnival arts practitioners both from UK and Trinidad and Tobago with support from a London Arts Development grant. This project was extensively evaluated and a full report presented to London Arts (London Region Arts Council).

Although the group still has close links with a number of Lambeth schools, several members have moved to different authorities or into teacher education so the group has been renamed London schools carnival group.

As a result of our experiences and ongoing development work in this field, we have decided to set up this web site as an open resource for schools and carnival artists and arts organisations working in the education sector, in order to provide much-needed information on Caribbean style carnival and to support high quality work with children and young people.

Please let us know what you think about it and suggest ways in which you think it can be improved. You will need to register if you want to view the pictures, post in the forum or send us material for this site. If you would like to contribute to the website or suggest links please click here.