The school festival that brings the world together

"We just want to celebrate and recognise the different communities that make up our school."

Hundreds of children, parents and their community had a free feast of cultures with world food, music, dancing and stories at the annual International Festival at Wood Farm Primary School in Oxford last week.

The event celebrates the multicultural nature of the school where 49 languages are spoken.

Assistant headteacher Anna Neal described it as "a really nice way to start the beginning of the school year" and said the event was "getting bigger and better every year".

Food was provided by parents, pupils, a local pub and budding young chefs from the nursery.

Visitors also enjoyed displays from each class on the different countries represented in the school.

Ms Neal said: "It's a really positive vibe, everyone's invited."

Children joined in Greek, Spanish and K-pop style dances and community contributions included steel drumming and the Oxford University Morris Dancers.

Teaching assistant Samaneh Aliasgari described it as "like travelling the world in just one evening".

Obhilasha, 8, said she had also learned about her home country Bangladesh.

"I felt really proud and show-offish for some reason," she said.

Parent Gemma Gardner said it was "really lovely" for the small community to have an event where "we can all come together".

Ms Neal added: "It feels like they're valued and celebrated as well as celebrating our own culture, so it's a really nice of mix of both.

"It's a big part of our calendar now, so we will do it again next September."

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