James Fornara – (pictured here with Herbie the therapy dog) James is the founding principal of All City Arts College, he has worked in education for over 25 years, he has led multiple schools from an alternative provision therapeutic setting to a democratic all through setting and was the founding principal of Wac Arts College.
All City Arts College Advisory Board
Advisory Board co-chair: Sir Nick Williams – Nick was the principal of the BRIT school from 2001 – 2012. He pioneered vocational education for careers across the performing arts and has seen a number of BRIT school graduates leave to become top performers. Under his stewardship Adele, Amy Winehouse, Bashy, Imogen Heap, Jamie Woon, Jessie J, Katy B and Leona Lewis all came through the BRIT school ranks. Nick has also taught English and History at a number of London state schools spanning 45 years. He was previously the headteacher at Thomas Tallis School, Greenwich. He has worked as an education advisor for the Department of Education and was a registered Inspector for OFSTED and a Schools Inspector in Southwark during the 1990s and was on the board of trustees of the Imperial War Museum.
Advisory Board co-chair: Celia Greenwood – Celia (pictured here with All City Arts College Patron Ms. Dynamite) was the co-founder and former CEO of Wac Arts and Wac Arts College, which began life as Weekend Arts College – WAC. Trained as a Drama specialist at Central School of Speech and Drama, she has worked creatively with young people for more than forty years. She has also developed and delivered training programmes for arts professionals and teachers, both nationally and internationally. She is committed to every child and young person’s right to access quality arts education and to building inclusive pathways to vocational training.
Camille Curtis Y Van Dyke – Camille is the newly appointed CEO of UPG and has worked in youth services, education and the creative arts for over 20 years. Camille was Local Cultural Education Partnership Manager for Brent LA and former deputy head and head of post -16 at Wac Arts College.She has been a designated Safeguarding Lead and has an impressive pan London network within local authorities, youth services and third sector organisations with a focus on young people and the Arts.
Idris Balogun – During my teenage years Wac Arts College was a place where I could go learn new things, explore new topics and skills and nurture my artistic licence. Wac Arts College gave me the ability to be comfortable in my own skin and life experiences. Without Wac Arts College honestly I could have been in grave danger. With all the abilities that Wac Arts College provided me with I gave myself a chance to audition For The Drama Centre London (Central Saint Martins) where I obtained a BA in Acting. Since graduating, I’ve helped open a production company called Making Number. I’ve had the opportunity to help manage one of the biggest artists in the world and been able to go help different organisations with kids from deprived backgrounds.
Joely Harris-Tharp – Joely graduated from Wac Arts College with a distinction in Multi-Media studies, producing a video about her experience as a disaffected adopted child which became important focus material for students in the school. She was noticed by Khulisa (a social and emotional wellbeing charity that provides therapeutic group programmes for young people who were working with Wac Arts College) and asked to join the organisation as a peer mentor, and subsequently a youth advisor acting as liaison between workshop leaders and their youth clientele from different schools all over London. Her 3-year stint culminated in her being the voiceover for Khulisa’s 5-year national strategy plan. Currently, she is providing emotional and life-skills support for vulnerable 13–18-year-olds in a residential setting.
John Bolt – John was Chair of Wac Arts College from its opening in 2014 until 2020. He has also been a governor of West Thames FE College since 2008 including two terms as Chair. This followed a career in education which included a deputy headship in a London secondary school and running school improvement in a London local authority. After retirement, John was secretary of the Labour Party’s education affiliated organisation.
Richard Davis – Richard is a qualified Chartered Accountant and has over 20 years experience working with as a Finance Director, across a wide range of businesses and industries. His company Birchland Advisors focuses on supporting SMEs by offering managed finance teams. Richard has previously been treasurer for Langdon, a charity specialising in supporting adults and young people with learning difficulties to live independent lives via education, employment and social activities.