Each year the Diocesan Education Centre organises the Church Schools Festival in Lincoln Cathedral over the course of eight days in June.  This Festival is open to Year 6 pupils from the Church of England schools in the Diocese of Lincoln.  In total approximately 3000 children from more than 100 schools take part - about 400 children on each of the eight days.

In the morning the children do an activity which might include plaster carving, drawing, banner-making, handbells, drama, modern dance, country dance, fabric printing, art/stained glass, handchimes, calligraphy, brass rubbing or sign language.  Another activity gives children a practical hands-on knowledge of how an organ works.

The children will also have a guided tour of the Cathedral, led by Cathedral Guides.

In the afternoon there is an Act of Worship on the theme of the Festival, which changes each year.  The worship is led by the children themselves, with items such as bell ringing, dance and drama from the morning's activities, and readings and prayers prepared beforehand. 

The speakers for the service are usually senior clergy from the Diocese, who wear a cope printed by the children in heir morning's activity.  A moving climax of the worship is the Lord's Prayer by the children using sign language.

The Board of Education has an approved policy for the taking of photographs of children which will be applied, in addition to schools' own policies, at this event.  To view the policy please click on this link:  Photography policy