Showcase

John Henry Newman C.E. School, Littlemore, Oxford
Primary School, 340 pupils 2005

The School

John Henry Newman School was one of Oxfordshire’s schools that was reorganised to fit into a two tier system in 2002. It became a new primary school on the site of a former middle school. It was important to develop the school ethos and bring pupils together. Most children in Littlemore have little opportunity to experience of art, let alone of working with an artist. Typical of most primary schools, John Henry Newman School has no specialist art teachers of its own.

The brief

To make a living willow sculpture
To involve children of all ages in a creative project
To give the children a sense of ownership and togetherness as a school community

The work

David Gosling worked with children from Year 3 to Year 6, initially making simple willow sculptures to lead to the design for the large sculpture in the school grounds. The sculpture evolved into a living classroom, with several entrances and peeking windows at various heights. "Really Amazing!", "It was fun!" were some of the children’s comments, while the school’s art co-ordinator pointed out how particular pupils who were usually diffident and withdrawn “bubbled with excitement and loved talking about their work.”
"A very positive experience for all" is how the artist summed up the project.

The outcome

"Lots more confidence given to teachers that pupils can achieve the unexpected. We saw pupils working as a team and with unfamiliar media very successfully. Nothing like it has ever been achieved or built at the school, and we are all so proud of the sculpture and the achievement of the pupils."
Year 5 teacher and art co-ordinator.

"The final structure is a real asset to us."
Headteacher.