Local schools project explores the Commonwealth by connecting art with sport

Becky Thompson, Arts Connect, said: “Both secondary schools in the cluster created large representational sculptures linked to their schools’ ideas around the project. The lead cluster representative, Moreton School, linked Wolverhampton’s part in the Commonwealth Games. The City hosted the time trials for cycling and this developed ideas linked to sustainable travel and pollution. The students created a large wheel inspired sculpture made entirely from upcycled and plastic recycled materials.”  

Students at Ormiston Shelfield Community Academy focused on their links to famous swimming athletes from Walsall, such as Ellie Simmonds and Nick Gillingham, as well as thinking about plastic pollution in the sea which affects sea life and their eco systems. They created a representational swimmer showcasing these themes.  

The four primary schools in the cluster created large wall panels and banners showcasing links to the Ghanaian landscapes, Ghanaian wildlife, the Commonwealth Games, sports activities, recycling, and humanitarianism.  

Anna said: “We created sculptures based around the sporting activity taking place during the Commonwealth Games and we also looked specifically at representing the landscape of Ghana. The focus on recycling plastics was chosen due to the problems being experienced there with disused plastic water containers when they had suffered a drought. I’ve worked with recycled plastics for 21 years so that was one of the reasons I was chosen to facilitate the project. 

“We focused a lot on the environment – looking at pollution in the ocean but also looking at sustainable travel. The students and pupils had a lot of wonderful, creative ideas and I supported their vision. 

“The project has inspired the children not only to think about art and sport, but to think about wider issues such as climate change and the environment. It’s been a friendly place where everyone comes together and is really representative of the connection between the countries – it's a union of ideas.” 

Julie Ward, Arts Lead for Commonwealth Connections project, Birmingham Education Partnership, said: “Arts and education is fundamental for all kinds of reasons, for teaching transferrable skills, where children learn about collaboration, learn how to be curious and helps us to work collectively together. And then that produces something at the end which is very emotional and touches people in different ways. 

“The work is amazing and I feel really moved by it. The collective works says something about celebration, movement, recycling and the environment. They are all very profound pieces and all the schools have made a wonderful contribution to creating something extremely special.” 

Gurnoor Kaur, from Moreton School, said: “This was my first time doing this type of thing but we all worked together as a team and all put our ideas into this project so we were all involved. It was such a new experience to learn how to use plastics in making the art and it’s something I’d never thought about before, but I’ve definitely learned new skills.” 

Hadassah Marrett, also from Moreton School, said: “We were all chosen because we were interested in art and it was great to put our heads together to work on this project. I knew Ghana was a place, but didn’t really know much about it, it was mind-blowing that we actually had some things in our house from Ghana and it was great to learn about the country as we created the work.” 

Arts Connect is a development agency connecting and supporting communities across the West Midlands, to enable children and young people (from 0-25) to enjoy a rich and meaningful arts and cultural life.   

They lead change by working with partners in education, arts and cultural organisations, local government, and others to run activities that create new opportunities in arts & culture with and for children & young people. 

They deliver the Bridge programme in the West Midlands for Arts Council England, and they are part of the Faculty of Arts, Business and Social Sciences at the University of Wolverhampton.  

•  For anyone who already has the results of their qualifications, applications can be made through Clearing from Tuesday 5 July 2022. The University’s Clearing webpage provides further information on all the courses available in Clearing. Applications can be made either by calling the Clearing Team on 01902 51 8585 or through the University’s social media channels on Twitter, Facebook or Instagram.   

• For anyone who is awaiting the results of their qualifications, they can register their interest and book a phone call with a Clearing Adviser on results day, Thursday, 18 August 2022.  
• For more information our next Open Day is on Saturday 20 August 2022. 

Group picture caption from left to right: Artist Anna Roebuck, pupils from Moreton School, Julie Ward (Birmingham Education Partnership), Simon Harris (Lecturer in Fine Art at the Wolverhampton School of Art) and Jack Lees (Teacher at Moreton School).

ENDS 

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