A heritage, literacy and performance project delivered by Bradford Arts Centre in partnership with Historic England.
Stamped & Scripted was a pilot project that brought the heritage of Bradford Arts Centre buildings to life for local primary school children through creative writing, rap and performance. Developed in partnership with Historic England, the project encouraged pupils to explore the history of Bradford Arts Centre and transform their discoveries into original rap performances.
The journey began with pupils learning about the building’s fascinating past through a guided tour led by our Postmaster Ellie, who shared her experiences of working in Bradford’s former General Post Office. Inspired by what they had learned, students wrote their own letters reflecting on the facts and stories they have discovered during their visit. These letters were posted using Bradford Arts Centre’s post box and delivered back to their schools, where students worked alongside local rapper Wilko Wilkes. Together, they transformed their words into original raps, developing confidence, creativity and performance skills along the way.
The project culminated in a final sharing event at Bradford Arts Centre, where pupils showcased their work and celebrated their achievements in front of fellow students, teachers, families, project partners and invited guests.
Ellie, Postmaster. Said:
“It was a really lovely experience to take the children on a tour around the building and tell them about the history of it being a post office. I enjoyed seeing how they took the experiences of the day and turned them into a rap with Wilko Wilkes.”
Through Stamped & Scripted, young people developed their literacy, communication and creative skills while building a deeper connection to Bradford’s heritage and the stories that have shaped the city.
If you would like to learn more about the Stamped & Scripted project or arrange a tour with our Postmaster Ellie, please contact our Education & Outreach Officer, Fay Beesley at fay.beesley@bdartscentre.co.uk
Teachers can also explore Historic England’s Bradford Heritage Trail and access a range of educational resources here : https://historicengland.org.uk/whats-new/in-your-area/yorkshire/new-heritage-trail-uncovers-the-history-of-bradford/