King's Lynn's history inspires school art exhibition

Pupils at a South Lynn school have been inspired to stage an art exhibition by the history and landmarks of their home town.

Sites including the South Gate, Greyfriars Tower and the River Great Ouse were among those covered in the display at the St Michael’s Primary Academy.

And civic leaders have been among those taking a look at the display.

Millie Fisher, the school’s curriculum manager, said the project had initially aimed to raise the profile of history and geography, but had boosted learning in several subject areas.

“Each class visited a monument and my class decided to hold an exhibition of all the work.

“It’s their curriculum, their school so why not let them lead it.”

Individual year groups produced work inspired by their site visits, ranging from displays inspired by the role of the mayor and historic artefacts such as the King John Cup.

Other pieces included a poppy wreath inspired by the Greyfriars Tower and backdrop paintings of the Wisbech Road area inspired by the river

And, as part of the project, pupils also wrote letters to local organisations, including the Lynn News, inviting them to see the exhibition.

Mrs Fisher said: “We were doing some persuasive writing and the exhibition evolved from there.”

Among those who took up the invitation was the borough’s mayor, Nick Daubney, who visited the school last Tuesday.

Mrs Fisher said: “He was really positive. He said the children were very passionate about their work and the school and we’re really proud of what they achieved.”