Primary school pupils equipped with cameras turned Oxford’s Covered Market into their classroom for a day.
The 11-year-olds from West Oxford Primary School took pictures of traders for a heritage project initiated by photographer David Fisher.
Some of the 22 pupils’ photos are expected to feature in an exhibition about the market at the Museum of Oxford early next year.
The photographic trip followed a class on composition.
Mr Fisher, who joined the pupils at the market, said: “It has been great fun working with the pupils and seeing them getting inspired about taking photos.
“They have been using Tuff-Cam cameras which are designed specifically for primary school pupils.”
The project, called Who is Oxford’s Covered Market? aims to reflect the personal histories and personalities of traders and investigate the heritage of the 18th century market.
The scheme is backed by the historic market’s 55 independent shops, as well as the Heritage Lottery Fund, Oxfordshire Town Chambers Network and the Oxford Civic Society.
Class teacher Carrie Cook said: “The pupils have been enjoying a giant game of ‘I Spy’ and have been seeing things in the market that an adult might just take for granted.”
Julie St Clair Hoare, headteacher at the Ferry Hinksey Road school, added: “The pupils asked the traders about their work, so it was also an excellent chance for them to improve their social skills as they prepare to move up to secondary school.”
Rebecca Puffett and Sophie Marquick, both 11, took pictures of staff working at The Cake Shop.
Rebecca said: “We have really enjoyed the visit to the market. We took photos of all the little figures made out of icing.”
Fellow pupils Ryan Lawson and Bilal Rahman, both 11, took photos inside Jemini flower shop.
Ryan said: “The best photos will go on display at the exhibition and I hope ours will be chosen.”
Rowena Abbott, 26, sales assistant at Jemini, said: “This is a great way of getting schoolchildren to take an interest in the Covered Market.”
West Oxford Primary School was selected to take part in the project because it has worked with academic charity The Oxford Muse Foundation, which is backing the initiative.
Mr Fisher, 37, from Headington, added: “Two of the key strands of this project will be my portraits and the children’s photos.”
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here