Teena began work in the Autumn Term, starting with the Year 2 children who sketched the view from the grassy bank at the back of the school. Year 1 children continued the environmental theme by sketching leaves and branches, and by adding a few improvised drawings of minibeasts! Reception and nursery children drew around their hands and feet, and made moulds of their arms and legs for their contribution.

Teena was very pleased with the initial sketches and used them to make a final design for each doorway. Then every child in the school, and quite a few of the staff too, helped make the clay moulds and tiles for the panels. These were then taken away to be fired and painted in Teena’s studio.

When we next saw the panels they were in bits and it was hard to believe that they would all fit together to produce the beautiful pieces that now bring so much life to our previously dull and neglected entrances! The children are delighted with the finished work and love running their fingers over the tiles and looking for their own contributions to the work.

We are all thrilled with the finished results but more importantly the children had a real part to play in the process and learned so much from the experience. We can’t wait for the next project!

Rhiannon Crowhurst