Wirral's Stanley School pupils get creative for arts week

Parents of those attending Stanley School in Pensby had a chance to see the artwork during a special viewing this afternoon.

Children will be able to see the display tomorrow.

Pictures (above) show artwork created at Stanley School. Pics: Craig Manning

In total 140 children were involved in the creative process.

The week will end with a special open-air music festival tomorrow, featuring music and workshops including one with a circus theme.

Left to right: Deputy head Ritu Hulme, pupils William and Kaci-Marie with Claire Madeley, expressive arts co-ordinator at the school today. Picture: Craig Manning

Claire Madeley, expressive arts co-ordinator at the school, for children with severe learning difficulties and complex additional needs, told the Globe: "Arts week is a major part of our communication, so people can celebrate their uniqueness, but we all come together as a community as well.

"It's about all the different art forms.

"We have art installations inspired by different music, we have textiles and we've had workshops running all week."

Artwork created at Stanley School. Picture: Craig Manning

Claire added: "Tomorrow we've got the Stanbury open air music festival.

"Our school choir will be singing, also taking part will the Singing Bluebirds Community Choir of Hoylake and accordion players.

"There will also be workshops going on in the open air. There will also be a circus workshop going on, non-alcoholic cocktails, henna tattoos and dancers.

"We've also had, as part of the week, a whole school literacy big story.

"I'm very proud of what they have done. Our children are amazing.

"They learn so much from the arts about understanding the whole world.

"It's been brilliant."

Artwork created at Stanley School. Picture: Craig Manning

Ritu Hulme, deputy headteacher, said: "We have been working towards our Arts Mark award, part of that is to have our arts week.

"Each class was given a piece of music to listen to, think about how it made them feel and create a piece of artwork based on that.

"For us, after the past two years, we have felt quite isolated as schools so we wanted to share all the good work we've done here.

"We wanted to show everybody that, whatever our disabilities are, we have got that imagination and creativity and can produce some wonderful art."

Watching an installation forming part of the display at Stanley School. Picture: Craig Manning

Headteacher Holly Barker added: "I just think it's such an amazing experience for our children to be able to create something and display that for people to come and view.

"It gives them that sense of pride in the work that they've achieved and allows us to celebrate everything as a whole school, which is so important to us."