News

Dartmouth Pupils Make a Splash with River Inspired Art

Pupils from Dartmouth Academy are having their artwork paraded and then put on display at the Tamar River Valley Festival this weekend (26th October.)

The Tamar Valley River Festival at Calstock, is a free family-friendly event celebrating the River Tamar through art, crafts, music, food and drink.  A host of interactive activities and workshops will be on offer, including folk music, gig boat racing, multi-media exhibitions, singing workshops, interactive family-friendly drama performances, art activities as well as the River of Hope exhibition and parade by local school children.

Earlier this year Dartmouth Academy pupils took part in the River of Hope project, which is an arts-based learning project linking schools around the world through the study of rivers and environmental issues.

The project uses environmental learning and creative arts practice to help young people express their concerns about the climate crisis.  It gave young people the amazing opportunity to engage in a river visit and create artworks under the guidance of inspirational professional artists.  It is these artworks that will be paraded and displayed at the  Tamar River Valley Festival.

Nicola Perrott, Assistant Principal, at Dartmouth Academy said:

“It’s brilliant that our pupils' artwork from the River of Hope project will be on show at the Tamar Valley River Festival this weekend.  Not only is this a chance to showcase some of the fine artists we have at Dartmouth Academy, it is also an opportunity for our young people’s work to help people reflect on local and global environmental issues.”

Matthew Shanks, CEO of Education South West said:

“At Education South West we believe it is the duty of schools to challenge children to develop into confident, active, global citizens.  Taking part in the River of Hope project is an excellent way to achieve this goal and I hope that everyone who attends the festival this weekend enjoys looking at the thought provoking art that Dartmouth pupils have created.”

More information:

• Education South West is a trust of eight primary schools, four secondary schools, one all through school and a University Technical College all based in Devon. 
• Education South West is focused on creating a culture which supports and challenges all whilst also working with those in and outside their community of schools to improve all.  
• All Education South West schools have UNICEF Rights Respecting accreditation, which recognises their commitment to creating safe and inspiring places to learn, where children are respected, their talents are nurtured and they are able to thrive.
• Dartmouth Academy is rated Good by Ofsted for Quality of education, Behaviour and attitudes, Personal development, Leadership and management and Early years provision.
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