School pupils from all over Bucks descended on High Wycombe to soak up the sun and enjoy some tunes at the “biggest ever” annual KiteFest music festival last month.

Kite Ridge School, in Verney Avenue, which supports students with learning difficulties, held its two-day Kitefest event last month for the seventh year running, with groups performing from schools across the county.

The aim of the festival is to bring together children and young people from mainstream and special schools to improve understanding between people with disabilities and those without in an informal setting.

For many of the pupils, it is a chance to see a live band for the first time. 

Head teacher Steven Sneesby said with 150 festival-goers through the doors, this year’s event was the school’s “biggest ever”. 

He said: “It’s a unique experience when you see young people of different backgrounds mixing together and engaging and enjoying themselves. 

“We’ve had students from both mainstream and special schools tell us ‘it’s the best day of the school year’ which gives me an unbelievable sense of pride and euphoria. 

“I cannot wait for KiteFest 2019.”

Performances on the first day included a Toyah Wilcox tribute act, and students from Pebble Brook, Chiltern Wood and Kite Ridge Schools, as well as Mazey from the “group with no name”.

In the audience were Chiltern Way Academy and Great Marlow Schools, both of which will be performing at next year’s festival, with Heritage House and Social Link also joining in the festivities.

The Deps headlined day two, with performances from the Cressex School Steel Band, Stony Dean and Harding House Schools, Woodlands PRU and and street dancer Lewis Haywood. 

Chiltern Way Academy students were joined by Hazlemere Lodge to make up the crowd. 

Next year’s event is expected to take place on June 26.