ARTWORK created by children at a special school in North Oxford has been put on display at the National Gallery in London.

Pupils at Northern House School in Summertown took part in the Take One Picture project by creating a piece inspired by a painting from 1468.

Their work was created on iPads before being printed onto canvas, and was chosen to appear at the National Gallery where it will hang until September.

The children were inspired by a painting called Saint Michael Triumphs over the Devil, by Bartolome Bermejo.

Deputy headteacher Jonathan Willis said he was delighted with the pieces being chosen in just the second year the school has entered the scheme.

He said: “Doing this hugely improves the children’s self-esteem and using the iPads was ideal.

“It meant any mistakes they were perceived to have made could be erased with the click of a button.

“That meant they could experiment and take risks.

“We are an Artsmark Gold school, which means we recognise the arts as being very important for pupils.

“Our children do not always succeed academically so art allows us to do more.”

About 55 children at the 88-pupil school, mainly in Years Five and Six, took part in the project.

Northern House caters for children with social, emotional and mental health needs.

Many of those who attend have conditions such as Asperger’s syndrome, dyslexia, Tourette’s and ADHD. Digital artist Jason Wilshire Mills, who uses a wheelchair, visited the school to help the children explore the Bermejo painting and learn to use the iPads.

They created individual images and these were then put together to make the final piece.

Mr Willis said: “Through his paintings, Jason creates images which are a direct reaction to his illness and disability.

“He details his life as a disabled person, using images that are often provocative but humorous.

“As the pupils completed their various designs, Jason set to work compiling a montage of the various heroes, villains, dragons, demons, ghouls and gods.

“Day by day, the collaborative image grew and grew.

“Jason posed problems for the pupils to solve, showing them how to utilise the more complex features of the ‘Brushes’ app in the process.”

The final piece was then sent to the printers and was attached to the wall in the school before moving to the National Gallery earlier this month, having been selected by the Take One Picture team.

The scheme has been running since 1995 and is designed to inspire art in primary schools.

Mr Willis said: “The pupils have already started to ask what we will be doing next year.”

The painting will be on display in the National Gallery until September 20.