Latest news with #BeardedTheory
The Guardian
26-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Guardian
‘She's been talking about it all year': school at Derbyshire festival gets top grades from children
In a sunny classroom a group of children are constructing music festival stages out of cardboard; in the 'playground' outside another class are learning how to throw a diabolo. It is Friday morning at school – but not as you know it. This is Bearded Theory's Festival School, where parents can enrol their children so they can spend a day in festival-themed lessons – without risking a fine for taking them out of school during term time. Founded 10 years ago, the school at the Derbyshire festival – the only one of its kind in the country – has had children budget a festival in maths classes, write and perform songs in English and music lessons and take part in PE lessons run by Derby County and Mr Motivator. The lessons, which take place for one day only on Friday at the festival, are different every year because about 90% of pupils are returning students. Places – which are free – are booked up in a matter of hours. 'We follow the national curriculum, and all the schemes of work, and lesson plans do, but we're just a bit creative with it,' Dave Hancox, the school's SEN co-ordinator, said. As a director of children services specialising in learning disabilities, his role is to ensure all children can take part in lessons. In some cases, they have had 3:1 support from teaching assistants for children who require it. 'No matter what need that child has, we've never not accepted a child,' he added. 'It's probably the most inclusive school in the country, I'd argue.' Hancox was recruited by Sally Booth, the founder and head of the festival school, when she found out he was the headteacher of a nearby specialist provision school. He is now one of the school's senior leadership team. 'It originally came from when the laws changed around school absences,' Hancox said, with a lot of parents worrying they would be fined if they brought their children for longer than a weekend. 'So the discussion was had around all the team here, and we sort of said, well, why can't we run a school here? And that's where the original idea came from,' he said. 'And 10 years on we're still doing it.' Parents register for the festival school earlier in the year, and staff will contact the children's usual schools to have the day marked as an authorised absence for off-site learning – similar to a school trip. It is open to children from reception to year 10, with 200 places available each year. 'We don't take year 11s because it's GCSE time for them and they shouldn't be here,' Booth said. Often, Hancox said, the feedback from parents is that their 'kids have engaged more at this school than they do at normal school'. 'We're not constrained to classroom, we're not constrained to four walls, we can adapt,' he said. 'And ultimately, the staffing ratios here are probably better than most schools in the country. So the feedback is always really positive.' 'We all think that education doesn't need to be in a classroom,' Booth, who previously worked as a teacher for 20 years, said. 'It doesn't need to be in a school with a trust, and an academy, and all of the paperwork and the KPIs [key performance indicator].' 'I'm not going to be measured on what they've learned today,' she added, 'but the school will as a whole, because of the enrolments that come in next year, and the returners. 'I see the same names every year,' she said, 'and it's brilliant, but there's still space for new people to come as well, so it works.' Gemma Edwards, 38, an occupational therapist from Stafford, has enrolled her daughter Lillie, six, for a second year of festival school. She started in reception last year. 'She loved it,' Edwards said. 'She's been talking about it all year, and it's exciting to come back.' Bearded Theory is Edwards' favourite festival, she said, and 'the festival school is part of that'. 'It's amazing,' she added, 'because you want to make the most out of the festival, it gives me and my husband some time. We have always loved festivals together, and now [Lillie's] on board with it as well, but you do sometimes miss having that time together,' she said. 'So it's nice for her to do something that she's enjoying, but us to get a bit of a daytime together as well. So it's lovely for all of us, really.' Heather Bayley, 44, and husband, Jason, 53, have brought their daughters Lottie, 9, and Lola, 14, who is in year 10. 'I think she's a little bit sad it's her final year,' Jason, an accountant said. 'We speak to a lot of friends, and people who go to other festivals – nowhere else does anything like this,' he added. 'We've been to different sort of places, we've never come across anything like it. So it's amazing.' Heather, who works in a nursery, said: 'The amount of prep that must go beyond the scenes, and with safeguarding, it's deeper than just the kids coming to their classes and having a bit of fun,. I don't know half the amount that Sally does, but I can only imagine from the work that I do.' Victoria Mynett, 46, a paediatric nurse, has brought her eight-year-old daughter Sorori to festival school for the third time. She is such a fan of the festival school that she has volunteered to help there next year. 'I just know that this is going to nourish them, and this is good for everybody, and they cater for all the needs,' she said.'They've got the alternative provision, which is perfect for a lot of children, my eldest daughter did that last year. It's brilliant.' 'Our school just embraced it and said, of course you can do that,' she added. 'And then she brings back to school so much that she's done, and she shares it with everyone, and everybody wants to come next year.'
Scotsman
21-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Scotsman
The 10 most searched for music festivals in 2025
These are the 10 music festivals that revellers have been searching for in 2025 - have you been to any of them previously? Sign up to our Arts and Culture newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... What are the music festivals that people have searched for in 2025? A study shows that no less than two UK festivals have appeared in the top ten list provided after a recent study. But who came out on top - and where did Glastonbury end up in the top ten, if at all? The bulk of the UK's summer festivals are about to kick off very shortly, with Bearded Theory and Slam Dunk Festival due to take place this week and Download next month. But are these the music festivals that most people on the internet are searching for? And is Glastonbury the most searched-for event, owing to its popularity and hotly coveted tickets each year? Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad What festivals are people searching for the most in 2025, and is Glastonbury top of the list, by chance? | Canva/Getty Images The team at QR Code Generator wondered just that, and issued a study to determine which festivals around the world people are searching for the most. Is there as much interest in Isle of Wight as there is Roskilde, or are fans more entranced by the stunning visuals at Tomorrowland than the iconic burning at Burning Man? Here's the top ten most searched-for music festivals this year, including their search volumes (based on the search terms used, detailed below). Are any set to be added to your 2025 calendar, especially since Glastonbury is taking a fallow year in 2025? Methodology To determine the most searched-for festivals, the team analysed Google Keyword Planner data for average monthly search volumes over the 12-month period from April 2024 to March 2025. This involved compiling search data for each festival across various related terms, including specific queries like '[festival] 2025 dates,' '[festival] lineup,' and '[festival] tickets,' as well as broader searches such as '[festival] festival,' '[festival] location,' and 'When is [festival].' Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad The combined average monthly search volume for each festival was then calculated and used to rank them from the highest to the lowest number of searches." The 10 most searched for musical festivals in 2025 10. Bonnaroo - June 12 - 15 2025 Josh Dun (L) and Tyler Joseph of Twenty One Pilots perform on stage during the 2015 Bonnaroo Music & Arts Festival - Day 4 on June 14, 2015 in Manchester, Tennessee. |Monthly Searches: 252,527 9. Roskilde Festival - June 28 - July 5 2025 Spectators cheer as they attend a concert of US rock band Foo Fighters performing on the Orange Stage at Roskilde Festival on July 5, 2024 in Roskilde, Denmark. | Helle Arensbak / Ritzau Scanpix / AFP Monthly Searches: 276,798 8. Rolling Loud - Rolling Loud California: March 15 - 16 2025 A Boogie wit da Hoodie attends Rolling Loud Los Angeles 2019 Fueled by West Coast Cure on December 15, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. |for West Coast Cure Monthly Searches: 376,549 Rolling Loud California transformed Hollywood Park in LA into the ultimate hip-hop haven earlier this year, with over 75 artists spanning two epic days. This year's headliners included A$AP Rocky, Playboi Carti, and a special guest spot from Peso Pluma. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 7. Rock in Rio - Lisbon: Mid to Late June 2025 (speculated June 20-28) People walk next to a Ferris wheel during the Rock in Rio Lisboa music festival at Bela Vista Park in Lisbon, on June 24, 2018. | MIGUEL RIOPA/AFP via Getty Images Monthly Searches: 388,644 This iconic festival, with roots in Brazil and a strong presence in Lisbon, is gearing up for another monumental edition in 2025 at Parque Tejo Lisboa. While the official line-up is a closely guarded secret, expect a show-stopping array of international talent, reflecting past headliners like Ed Sheeran, Foo Fighters, and Queen. Rock in Rio is more than just music; it's a multiverse of entertainment promising an unforgettable experience. 6. Isle of Wight Festival - June 19 - 22 2025 View of the crowd during Day 3 at The Isle of Wight Festival at Seaclose Park on June 15, 2014 in Newport, Isle of Wight. | Tim P. Whitby/Getty Images Monthly Searches: 390,957 The legendary Isle of Wight Festival returns to Seaclose Park, Newport , from June 19th to 22nd, 2025! Get ready to make friends for life and memories that last a lifetime with an incredible line-up. Headliners already announced include music icons Sting , Stereophonics and Justin Timberlake . 5. Burning Man - August 24 - September 1 2025 A security guard keeps people back during the annual Burning Man Festival on September 4, 2023 after the sun shone on the colourful makeshift community of 70,000 people called Black Rock City. | AFP via Getty Images Monthly Searches: 539,490 Step into Black Rock City, Nevada, for the world's most unique and inclusive arts festival, Burning Man! From August 24 to September 1, 2025, immerse yourself in a vibrant metropolis dedicated to radical inclusion, self-expression, and communal effort. This year's theme, "Tomorrow Today," invites participants to imagine and create the future. While headliners in the traditional sense aren't announced, expect countless immersive art installations, performances, and spontaneous collaborations from a global community. 4. Glastonbury - June 25 - 29 2025 Nigerian singer Burna Boy performs on the pyramid stage on the fifth day of the Glastonbury festival at Worthy Farm in the village of Pilton in Somerset, southwest England, on June 30, 2024. | OLI SCARFF/AFP via Getty Images Monthly Searches: 1,042,466 Glastonbury Festival returns to Worthy Farm, Pilton, from June 25th to 29th, 2025, for another legendary celebration of contemporary performing arts! This world-renowned event promises an electrifying mix of music and culture. The headlining acts confirmed to grace the iconic Pyramid Stage are The 1975, Neil Young and Olivia Rodrigo, with the legendary Rod Stewart confirmed for the Sunday 'Legends' slot. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 3. Lollapalooza - July 31 - August 3 2025 A 'Wheel of Fortune' mechanical attraction is seen during the sunset of the third day of the Lollapalooza music festival. | PABLO PORCIUNCULA/AFP via Getty Images Monthly Searches: 1,307,167 Lollapalooza is back for four days of non-stop music and fun in Grant Park, Chicago, from July 31st to August 3rd, 2025! This genre-defying festival will once again showcase the music industry's biggest names alongside emerging artists across nine stages. Confirmed headliners include Olivia Rodrigo, Tyler, the Creator, Sabrina Carpenter, Rüfüs du Sol, Luke Combs, Twice, A$AP Rocky, Korn, Gracie Abrams and Doechii. Beyond the music, explore Chow Town's diverse food vendors and family-friendly activities at Kidzapalooza. 2. Coachella - April 11 - 13 & April 18 - 20 2025 Charli XCX performs with Mí onstage during 2018 Coachella Valley Music And Arts Festival Weekend 1 at the Empire Polo Field on April 14, 2018 in Indio, California. |for Coachella Monthly Searches: 1,447,589 The iconic Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival returned for two incredible weekends: April 11-13 and April 18-20, 2025, at the Empire Polo Club in Indio, California! The star-studded line-up spanning rock, pop, hip-hop, electronic, and indie included Lady Gaga, Green Day, Post Malone, and Travis Scott. Thanks to their fantastic YouTube streaming coverage, the vibrant world of music, art installations, and unforgettable performances across multiple stages were broadcast to the wider world - for those who missed out on tickets. 1. Tomorrowland - July 18 - 20 & July 25 - 27 2025 Visitors attend the first day of the Tomorrowland electronic music festival in Boom on July 21, 2023. | HATIM KAGHAT/Belga/AFP via Getty Images Monthly Searches: 1,698,347
Telegraph
11-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Telegraph
The best family festivals to book this summer
As schools consider banning smartphones, there's somewhere where they're nigh on useless. Scrolling is the last thing on your mind at a music festival, when there are furry-tailed friends to meet, bubbles to chase and dance-offs to win. Which is just as well, as gatherings of lots of people can play havoc with phone reception. This summer's festival season is nearly upon us and, while we could all probably do with some carefree frolicking, weekend tickets for a family are a solid financial commitment. The cost of running a festival has shot up in recent years and a few long-running favourites have decided to take the year off. Womad, the global music festival that's usually held in Wiltshire, is planning its 2026 edition in a brand new site. The space-themed festival Bluedot, held in a unique location at the Jodrell Bank Observatory, hasn't returned after last year's fallow year. Meanwhile, family stalwart Just So - also in Cheshire – says it's taking a break after 15 years to reimagine itself. Yet the show will go on for plenty of festival favourites, who will be dusting themselves in eco-friendly glitter and delivering world-class programming that takes families away from screens and inspires them to have fun together. One of those is Camp Bestival which, after 17 years, is a benchmark for all that's possible for a family to enjoy in one weekend. For 2025, festival founder and DJ Rob da Bank is focusing on health and wellbeing. 'We're introducing our biggest wellness area yet,' he said. 'It's for mums or dads to escape to, but it's also for families. We'll have family shake-outs each morning in the Dreamweaver's Garden, family breathwork sessions, an introduction to meditation for teenagers and teenage yoga. Everything is accessible to children and there'll be lots of drop-in classes.' Victorious Festival, meanwhile, is offering children free fruit all weekend to keep energy levels up. For the chance to dance, create and de-stress this summer, see what else is planned at the 12 best festivals for families below. Bearded Theory, Derbyshire May 21-25 The only UK festival with its own school, at Bearded Theory children can partake in a wide range of broadly academic lessons. Last year this included making paper aeroplanes in science, joke books in English, yoga and drumming. It's a great way of helping little ones make friends and, when school's out, families can head off for a dance with their new buddies. Held in the grounds of Catton Hall, the Earth area is for healing and sustainable crafting, while this year's lineup includes Iggy Pop, Manic Street Preachers and English Teacher. Shindig, Somerset May 22-25
