Drumbeat School ‘Make a Hat Project’
Drumbeat School is a special needs school for autism in the London Borough of Lewisham. The school community is passionate about creating innovative learning opportunities to promote holistic development for all the children.
The British Hat Guild worked with the school on a project for the pupils to create hats. Members of the Guild were delighted to donate materials for the children to create their headpieces.
Initially it was planned for one or two classes to participate in the project, however Roger Taylor the art co ordinator at Drumbeat School decided that all pupils should take part, such was their response to handling such a varied selection of materials.
The children selected materials by colour, touch, and by handling each different fabric. They worked with their selected materials to create 3 dimensional headpieces that appeal not only visually but are also immensely tactile.
At the end of the school year, the school held a fashion show, in which pupils and members of staff modelled these wonderfully inspirational headpieces.
“It was wonderful to see our donated materials used in such fresh diverse and innovative ways, and to see children and staff perform in the fashion show with such style and enthusiasm. It was a delight to see the making and wearing of hats giving so much confidence to everyone who took part. What started as an idea for a couple of classes became an event for the whole of the school.
Thank you to Roger Taylor who runs the art department at Drumbeat. He worked at Phillip Somerville originally and understands the special powers gained from both making and wearing millinery. The Drumbeat Fashion show was such a fantastic example of all
that in action!
”
