Inspirational digital project in Bradford helps 1800 pupils and boosts digital optimism

A pioneering project in Bradford has reached more than 1,800 students across six schools – building digital skills, confidence and aspirations for future careers in the creative industries.

Bradford Digital Creatives, a two-year pilot delivered by Born in Bradford and the National Science and Media Museum, has published its final report detailing the project’s transformative impact. Backed by Arts Council England, Bradford 2025 UK City of Culture and Bradford Council, the initiative engaged secondary school students from Carlton Bolling, Belle Vue Girls’ Academy, Carlton Keighley, Dixons Allerton, Bradford AP Academy and Appleton Academy to co-create artwork with professional artists, including 360° film-making, soundscape recording, light art, Virtual Reality, and games design.

Artwork produced was showcased in the Reel BFD: Digital Arts, Bradford Stories exhibition at the National Science and Media Museum this summer, in participating schools, and even at the iconic Jodrell Bank planetarium.

Here is some more of the students’ work:

You can also listen to School Day here, and Midland Coradia here.

Lindsay Wilson, Deputy Headteacher at Carlton Bolling, said: “Over the past year, I’ve watched something special unfold – a transformation in our students, our staff, and our whole school community. I saw students discover talents they didn’t even know they had – and the changes were more than just creative.

“I watched confidence grow – and I saw students who have never spoken to each other, working together. They were suddenly collaborating, sharing ideas, and encouraging each other.

“Personally, it’s made me think differently about how we use technology in the classroom and school - not just as a tool for learning, but as a way to inspire and connect. We’ve gained ideas and approaches we’ll carry forward in our teaching long after the project ends.”

Sally Folkard, Head of Screen and Cultural Engagement at the National Science and Media Museum, said: “The success stories coming out of Bradford Digital Creatives are nothing short of inspiring – from a 14-year-old becoming a BAFTA Young Game Designers finalist after being inspired in a workshop, to Carlton Keighley launching its own student-led Games Design Club, and students uncovering talents that have shaped their future education choices. We also saw artists re-energised by the creativity and curiosity of the classroom - rediscovering the joy of their own practice through the eyes of a new generation.”

“The project also forms part of the internationally significant Age of Wonder study, led by Born in Bradford – marking the first time creativity has been measured at this scale in relation to adolescent health and wellbeing.”

Professor Rosie McEachan, Director at Born in Bradford, said: “We’ve long known that creativity is vital to young people’s development, but this is the first time we’ve been able to track its impact through such a robust research lens. Bradford Digital Creatives has shown that when you give young people the tools and support to express themselves, the results are extraordinary – not just creatively, but in terms of confidence, wellbeing and future ambition.”

Rhiannon Hannon, Director of Creative Engagement and Participation at Bradford 2025, added: “This project is exactly what Bradford 2025 is about - empowering young people to tell their stories, try new things, and see a future for themselves in the creative industries. By embedding cultural experiences in schools and working with incredible digital artists, Bradford Digital Creatives has opened up new possibilities for hundreds of students across our district.”

With backing secured to extend delivery until March 2026, the project’s partners are now looking to develop a long-term model to embed digital creativity across more schools in Bradford – strengthening connections between education, culture and industry and laying the groundwork for a thriving creative future for the district’s young people.