BRADFORD schoolchildren have created an animated film exploring their hopes for a post-Covid world.

Youngsters at Lapage Primary School on Barkerend Road took part in Zoom workshops earlier this year, looking at themes of light, hope and inspiration for them, their families and communities as lockdown restrictions ease. The result was a poem written by the students which has been brought to life by a children’s animator and is being screened on Bradford Literature Festival’s website.

The project is part of the festival’s ‘Bradford Inspired’ programme, delivering a range of free-to-access creative projects using digital technology to engage people at a time when access to cultural and creative resources is limited, and to help people feel connected within their communities.

The work by Lapage Primary School is part of ‘When All This Is Over...’ an international cross-artform commission, pairing poets from the UK, America, New Zealand and Pakistan with visual artists to create a series of poetry-films reflecting a personal response to the Covid-19 pandemic and hopes for the future.

As part of Bradford Inspired, Bradford Literature Festival (BLF) has commissioned a number of poets to create new work that will reflect on life in the pandemic and look ahead, in hope, to a brighter future. Each poet is working with artists across a range of artforms to bring their words to life, creating moving and inspirational film poems to be shared with audiences online.

BLF Director Syima Aslam said: “The aim of Bradford Inspired was to bring people together during this difficult time and provide an inspiring, creative outlet through which we could share messages of hope. Our work with Lapage Primary School truly embodies this ideal. It was a privilege to work with such a talented, resilient group of young people, many of whom have had to remain in school whilst their classmates were at home, and who nevertheless threw themselves into the creative experience with joy and passion, which shines through in their poem. Their words of hope are universal, we hope whoever hears their voices or watches the film will be able to share in their excitement as they imagine moments of happiness to come in the next few months.”

Poet Kat Francois who worked with the children said: “I loved the way the pupils played with language and were so open to trying new exercises. They were wonderful performers, enthusiastically joining in the weekly call and response and were amazing when it came to recording the poem.”

Assistant headteacher Katie Fletcher said: “At this crucial time, with everything that has happened in in recent months, our children need us more than ever to provide them with enriching, memorable moments that broaden their horizons. We also need to nurture their feeling of connection not only within themselves, but also with each other, their community and into the wider world. This opportunity to work with an inspiring and talented poet like Kat is absolutely one of those experiences and is one that the children will remember and talk about for years to come.”

Year 3 pupil Ayvah Wright said: “The project made me feel really happy because I am excited for lockdown to be over. Soon I will be able to visit so many places I have missed like restaurants and parks.” Year 4 pupil Mohammad Harith Betraoui said: “Kat taught us new words every single day. It made me feel really positive about Bradford and the future.” Year 3 pupil Haris Yasin added: “The project made me feel happy because I would see lots of places closed and empty in town and soon they will be busy again!”

* To view the poetry-film go to bradfordlitfest.co.uk/blog/lapage-primary-school/