Sidcot School’s Festival of Peace Brings Community Together Through Creativity, Music and Quaker Values

Sidcot School was transformed into a vibrant celebration of creativity, community and peace last Thursday evening as it welcomed over 700 visitors including local state schools to its biennial Festival of Peace, held ahead of World Quaker Day on Sunday 4 October.

The free community event showcased a diverse programme of activities,  workshops and performances reflecting the School’s Quaker ethos and commitment to bringing people together through shared experiences. Visitors of all ages enjoyed an evening filled with music, art and hands-on activities, including DJ sets from DJ Elley Phunk, welding workshops, screen printing, student musical and dramatic performances, and much more.

One of the evening’s standout attractions was the presence of Arcadia Reach’s Bug Stage, a striking mobile performance venue that had recently returned from supporting The Prodigy on their latest tour. The Bug Stage was brought to Sidcot by school alumnus and Arcadia co-founder, Pip Rush Jansen, whose work continues to be influenced by the values he encountered during his time at the School.

Speaking at the festival, Pip said:
“It was a real joy to contribute to Sidcot School’s Festival of Peace. I’ve never seen  people from so many different ages and backgrounds having so much fun together on a school night! The festival is a fantastic opportunity to explore what peace means in today’s world and how we can all play our part.

“I’m forever grateful for the support I was given during my time in Sixth Form. The School’s Quaker ethos profoundly influenced how I see the world and shaped the values that drive my work. Quakerism has always pioneered connection, understanding and equality, and those principles are central to everything we do at Arcadia.

“That’s why the Bug Stage felt so fitting here. Built from reclaimed military hardware, it’s now a vibrant space for creativity, celebration and community. It shows we’re never  owerless: together, we can transform the tools of division into peace, positivity and hope. Meeting the next generation at the Festival has left me truly optimistic for the future.”

Elsewhere across the festival site, visitors explored a spectacular large-scale wooden climbing structure designed and built by pupils from Sidcot Junior School and Year 7 students in partnership with Woodland Tribe, a not-for-profit organisation that champions child-led adventure play and hands-on construction using real tools.

The festival also coincided with the installation of the Sidcot’s Planets Project in the School’s Peace Fields, a striking installation of sculptural planets created through a collaboration between students from Sidcot School and Weston College, alongside the Sidcot Art Department and Arcadia Reach CIC. Crafted from recycled and repurposed metal, the artwork highlighted themes of sustainability, creativity and transformation that ran throughout the evening’s programme.

Reflecting on the success of the event, James Jones, Head of Sidcot School, said:
“The Sidcot Festival of Peace was a wonderful celebration of the values that sit at the heart of our School community. It was inspiring to see our students share their talents through music, performance and creative expression, while welcoming members of the wider community to join us in reflecting on the importance of peace in today’s world.”

“As a School, our Quaker values enable us to foster understanding, respect and compassion, and this festival provided a meaningful opportunity to bring people together in that spirit. We are incredibly proud of everyone who helped make the event such a memorable and uplifting occasion, and grateful to the Sir James Reckitt Charity and George Cadbury Trust for their support, which made the event possible.”

The Festival of Peace forms part of Sidcot School’s long-standing commitment to Quaker principles, providing opportunities for students and the wider community to engage with ideas of peace, equality, sustainability and social responsibility through creativity, collaboration and shared experience.

To learn more about Sidcot School’s ethos, families are invited to register for its upcoming Tea and Tours with the Head: www.sidcot.org.uk/admissions/opportunities-visit/tour-and-tea-head

Notes to Editors:

• Sidcot School is the only co-educational boarding and day independent school in North Somerset, with over 600 students from around the world.
• It is a Quaker school and places an emphasis on peace and global studies within the curriculum, nurturing confident young individuals who aren’t afraid to make a difference in the world.
• Read more on the Festival of Peace at www.sidcot.org.uk/student-news/festival-peace-2026
• Sidcot School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children.
• Media Enquiries: For further information, case studies, images or quotes, please contact marketing@sidcot.org.uk