David Bowie is...one of us

Staff and students from University of the Arts London (UAL), supported by the learning team at the V&A, have worked with young people from David Bowie's former school, Ravens Wood School in Bromley, on a short film entitled 'David Bowie is...one of us', with the help of 3AngryMen film production company and music producer, Robert Worby. The film includes original choreography, costumes and make-up by UAL students and Ravens Wood pupils related to Bowie's creative influences.

[@jonathanrowson8673]

Let's set a couple of things straight. I personally went to Ravenswood School from 2007 to 2014. The school loved to bring up the famous singer whenever they could but they had no mention of him on their 'wall of fame' - a wall where they put achievements up of former students. Now this confused a lot of us until we found out that David Bowie wrote about the school is some of his biographies. In them, he stated what a horrible school it was, and how it was just full of stupid kids and teachers, that only cared about sports - which I 100% agree with. He also said that he was not allowed into the school choir as the teachers deemed him not good enough! The idea of that is truly mind boggling! The school did nothing for him and he wanted everyone to know this, forget about him being "one of us" he was the ugly duckling that the school didn't want to help but just take credit for when he achieved great things. R.I.P. David Bowie, lest we never forget how society distorts us for its own gain

[@jaydendez514]

Jonathan Rowson you probably won't see this but it was on the one in the canteen hall where only the world famous people were.

[@paulruffle]

Bowie was four years ahead of me in Owen Frampton's art class at Bromley Tech (now Ravens Wood). The school hasn't changed much in 46 years, it's really weird seeing such familiar sights after all these years. Brilliant film.

[@elm4758]

so proud of all of rapa and the music academy, such an amazing thing to have been a part of!

[@shannonsmith5513]

How proud they must be to be able to say David Bowie went to their school!

[@guitarad]

Loved it ! My old school too 75 -80 - brought back memories of those stairs and corridors ,all those smells !

[@angelamarian6640]

watched it at least 4 times and still find something new everytime, such a clever concept/film, beautifully shot too

[@llucan999]

His Art Teacher was Peter Frampton's father. Great man.

[@ScottButlerAct]

This the school I went to, some 20 years later than David, brought so many memories back! The school looks identical to when I was there. I had David's music teacher, Mr. Lane, who would tell us stories about David's time at Ravenswood. I even did my exams on an old wood desk that had "David R Jones Woz Ere" (or something similar) scratched onto the corner of it!

[@summerpresley1]

the legend Stephen Brown also went to this school 1981 -1988

[@6MissFilth6]

Damn this is incredible well done! Very artistic! Thank you so much for doing this, I love it

[@axelworfles]

What a brilliant film! I love the song as well, it's been stuck in my head for days. It really feels like a celebration of Bowie and of youthful escapism too.

[@paully1969]

Saw this on the Evening Standard website... well done gals and guys. I'm a RW old boy and it has always been a great school... glad you keeping that up. The music is great and sounds a bit Pink Floyd... anyway I'll shut up x

[@regentstreettv]

Amazing work! Really creative. You can continue celebrating David Bowie with a visit to the Ziggy Stardust plaque on Heddon Street.

[@brewer1281]

the influence of David Bowie is seen in the use of glam rock. Also it is about the fact that he went to our school, previously known as Bromley Technology College. But as an avid Bowie fan, i am sure you was fully aware of that fact !!!

[@lkirrane341]

This is amazing, love the concept and feel of it

[@RobinsDynasty]

Really great job! Great feel throughout the whole thing:)

[@steventyson412]

Bravo - I get it, very clever, nice track too it is very comforting to know Bowie is inspiring our youngsters STILL. Power to you all follow your dreams and always get some Bowie in there ( Please!)

[@HuwLewis95]

I really love that song! Can I get hold of it anywhere?

[@nureinherz]

great song and dancing!

[@jadea3013]

The song was created and performed by music students at Ravens Wood School, Bromley, and us dancers are performing arts students from there, I'm not sure where you can find the song if you wish to download it but I'm sure if you email someone from the music department there you'll be able to find it! :)

[@Alexygalaxy19]

This is really really good. Excellent song too!

[@betty8267]

I love it! Well done everyone.

[@robertwilliam9554]

beautiful film, so clever

[@warhols25]

David Bowie's artistic philosophy meets the soothing textures of Radiohead meets the grinding, angular Pixies guitar solo. I WANT TO LIVE AGAIN ! :)

[@AntarcticaRhodes]

Amazing!!!!

[@wildtalon]

What are the songs? I love the first one.

[@neven4745]

Whats the song?

[@EdEditz]

That was amazing! Just a shame that 2/5th of the video is titles.

[@weirdonna]

you´re welcome.i´m from germany, and one day i had a look at your schoolyard-just for sentimental reasons;) thanx for your answer

[@Jenny0lsen]

Dom is fantastic !

[@FranciscoVera]

Maravilloso

[@weirdonna]

great! be honest, did you watch bowies "image".the same atmosphere! at which time he visit your school. i only know about "the bromley high tech school for boys"

[@drako450]

That song... does anyone know the name of that song?...

[@deSmoscow]

Dom Grimshaw, great work!

[@jenniegloverable]

Excellent, but too short

[@tommizner3274]

great vid, I know you guys are proud.... a little heavy on the credits though

[@adolflenin4973]

ANOTHER GREAT ENGLISHMAN

[@kerryosullivan2115]

for a start this wasn't even me! i have no idea who done this but i didn't! and no I don't have any concept of David Bowie and his work because I couldn't care less about him I don't have a 'fucking' problem mate so calm down!

[@Fortshorts2017]

This is my school

[@davidappiah-danquah97]

I go to this school

[@user-rz2sq9fm2g]

Well done! You got it right!

[@andrwwatsonaw]

Ravenswood lalala Ravenswood lalala.

[@AnnoyingKiwiDude]

cool from nz

[@sophier4334]

My sch is down the road to Ravens wood . Really happy that a really famous musician was in ravens wood. Makes me even smile. :)

[@user-rz2sq9fm2g]

Bishop Justus?i go to Ravenswood

[@sophier4334]

+NEDSWEG yep

[@Shushhhhh]

+NEDSWEG hi ned

[@user-rz2sq9fm2g]

+Zach Latinwo nahhhhhhhhhhh m9 wtf

[@richardboldbrooker6327]

WTF?!? Has this piece got to do with David Bowie, and when did Bowie ever credit his school as a positive thing? I don't think he left school with one exam passed, and was advised to go and be a bus conductor, or something equally inane.

[@joesephpatatucci1434]

Haters gonna hate!

[@summerpresley1]

yeah thats him! lol. and he is still singing for a living! u know him? lazy ?

[@wrkt999]

I go to ravens wood school right now and it's still shit

[@ttdxn1621]

Lol what yr u in 😂

[@kerryosullivan2115]

4:56 WHEN HE TRANSFORMS INTO LOUIS SPENCE

[@llucan999]

Uniform is factually incorrect. Brown shoes, nose rings, ear rings, badges on tie, all banned then. His hairstyle is way off too.

[@DanielNoelDavies]

+Steve Fisher It's the current uniform. It's meant to be a mix of the two.

[@llucan999]

+Daniel Noel-Davies Gotcha.......... Its amazing how much the school hasnt changed since I left in 1978!! I wonder if Bowie is still up on the wall in those panoramic pupil photo's, you couldnt miss him.

[@user-rz2sq9fm2g]

+Steve Fisher yup

[@threetav]

Are you taking the Mick. How boring. You shouldn't use David's name in vain associated with this pile of drivel. Honestly, i've been a hugh Bowie fan for 40 years, seen him live in concert over 100 times but couldn't see any reference or influence to the great man.

[@kerryosullivan2115]

ARE U MAD

[@baileywilkinson4484]

This dancing is awful, none of you are half as good as me, I am fabulous

[@alexclee1]

agreed

[@lucy.f3r616]

.

[@lucy.f3r616]

good for you!

[@user-rz2sq9fm2g]

+Crede crede are you roasting anyone who tries to hate on our school?