A RECORD number of schools are taking part in this year’s Oxfordshire Artweeks.

The festival, which runs from Saturday, May 8, to Monday, May 31, will see 474 exhibitions in everything from galleries to front rooms, featuring the work of more than 1,000 artists, including work from 30 schools.

West Oxford Primary School, in Ferry Hinksey Road, is to take part in the Oxford section of Artweeks between May 8 and May 16.

Headteacher Julie St Clair Hoare said: “It is an opportunity for us to have an exhibition where every child can exhibit something.

“We try to make it like a proper opening and offer tea and cakes, and get someone to actually announce the opening to make it a bit more special.”

The opening is on Monday, May 10. Among the items to go on display are decorated platform shoes, punk masks and paintings of the sea.

Mrs St Clair Hoare added: “We really like the children to feel they excel at something and other things like maths or English are highlighted at other times of the year.

“Artweeks is a way of highlighting those who stand out in this area and gives them their moment to say it’s just as great to be artistically skilled.”

Other schools exhibiting include New Hinksey Primary, Christ Church Cathedral School, and East Oxford Primary School.

The Oxford festival is sponsored by the city’s d’Overbroeck’s College for the fourth time.

A film festival will be held at Corpus Christi College, showcasing work from Oxfordshire filmmakers, and there will also be a competition to design a wine label which will go on a limited edition wine created by the Oxford Wine Company.

fbardsley@oxfordmail.co.uk