Coldplay frontman Chris Martin has described visiting a Swiss Cottage special school last autumn as “one of my favourite things from last year”, ahead of a community street festival in aid of the school.
The 37-year-old musician visited Swiss Cottage School Development and Research Centre with his manager Phil Harvey last year after finding out about the school’s innovative work.
On Sunday, the school will celebrate the return of A Perfect Day festival, attended by 20,000 visitors when it was last held in 2009, taking place over a 320m stretch of Avenue Road, including the school site.
In a message to pupils and staff at the school, Mr Martin said: “I hope you have an incredible day of love, laughter and joy.
“Visiting your school was one of my favourite things from last year - especially singing your school song with you. You guys rock.”
Mr Martin, whose mother is a special educational needs teacher, was given a tour of the school during his visit last year and performed Coldplay hit ‘Paradise’ to pupils in the music suite.
Pupils also performed the school’s song ‘When We Are Together’ for Mr Martin while he gave an impromptu piano rendition.
Sunday’s festival, open to the public between 12pm and 5.30pm, will close Avenue Road to traffic between Adelaide Road and Elsworthy Road.
Festival-goers on the day can enjoy a variety of free musical performances, a funfair and food stalls. There will also be a performance from stand-up comedian Jimmy Carr.
Entry to the festival is free but there is a suggested donation of £5 per family and £3 per person, which will all go to Swiss Cottage School Development and Research Centre.
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