CHILDREN and staff at a South Lakeland school are gearing up to turn their classrooms into art galleries as part of a programme to raise the profile of the subject in school.

Over the last few months all pupils from ages four to 11 at Vicarage Park School, Kendal, have been experimenting with different art forms and creating exciting artworks that will go on display in school at the opening event on Tuesday (March 28).

All the pieces will be for sale, with proceeds going towards funding future arts opportunities in school.

Pupils and staff have been learning new skills supported by professionals such as local textiles artist Caren Threlfall, and printmaker Jamie Barnes.

Staff have also been learning alongside the children with the aim that they can continue to provide a high quality art curriculum in school beyond the life of the project.

Deputy head teacher Simon Wilkinson said: “The children and staff have felt privileged to take part in something so rare in a primary setting. We shared ideas with local artists who have enabled these to then become a reality.

"The children’s eyes have lit up when taking part in these sessions and they are very proud of their place in this project. It has been a busy project with everyone pulling together and come exhibition night, when the children and families share what they have made, it will be worth it and remembered for years to come.”

Children have also been finding out about the role of an art gallery and what the job of a curator involves. Visits were made to Abbot Hall Art Gallery, Kendal, where pupils got to curate their own mini exhibition, and a small group of pupils have joined the Young Curators' Club.

The club has met weekly to help with planning the exhibition, designing invites, and writing letters to attract sponsorship. As part of the club they can gain an Arts Award, a nationally recognised award that celebrates young people’s personal interests in the arts.

On a visit to the Brewery Arts Centre they even got to quiz exhibiting artist Jenny Natusch about her work. Ellie Chester, a Year 6 pupil from Young Curators' Club said “Talking to Jenny about her work taught me that you should express yourself and never feel like your work is not good enough for people to see.”

Project co-ordinator Kerry Howarth said: “The project has enabled staff to develop some new skills in teaching art and design by working alongside an artist and as well as the children having produced some great art work, they have also broadened their knowledge about jobs in the creative industries. Projects like this help to develop confidence, enrich learning and inspire children, they get the whole school working together to make it happen, something that is often difficult to envisage at the beginning."