SCHOOLS in Wantage, Grove and surrounding villages have been working together to give pupils a chance to reveal their creative talents.

Fourteen primary and secondary schools have teamed up to run a series of art workshops.

The Wantage Area Schools Partnership is an annual project and this year headteachers choose the theme Creativity in the Curriculum.

Staff at King Alfred’s Sports College worked with the primary schools and Fitzwaryn Special School and their own pupils to help deliver the workshops.

Workshops involved textiles, 3D structures, musical instruments, drama techniques, singing, print making, and drawing.

Ugandan sculptor David Odwar toured the schools helping the children create African masks and pottery.

Mr Odwar encouraged the children to look at their own influences in their lives and to reflect this in their work.

Pupil Jack Rooke, 10, said: “It was great because there were no restrictions – we could be as wild as we liked.

“I really liked David, he’s so lively and with it. He said you just can’t get it wrong.” Friend Ella Joyce, 10, said: “It was such fun.

“David showed us how easy it was to make something look really good. He just helps you so much.”

Mr Odwar said it had been a learning curve for him and had opened up a lot of opportunities to forge friendships.

Jill Dovey-Bridgeman thanked King Alfred’s for all their support during the project. She said: “It was only by working together that we can offer the children and school staff all the experiences and expertise that they need to ensure they reach their full potential in a creative learning environment.”

  • The work is on show alongside A-Level and GCSE art at King Alfred’s centre site on Saturday and Sunday, from 10am to 4pm.