By Jenny Barwise

Last updated at 13:58, Wednesday, 07 October 2009

An eyecatching collage, which helped a west Cumbrian school scoop a countywide award, has been put in pride of place at the building’s entrance.

The tiled wall

Every one of the 90 pupils at Mayfield Special School in Whitehaven designed and decorated a clay tile and placed it on the wall outside the building.

Each pupil in the school, which caters for youngsters aged four to 18 with learning and physical difficulties, teamed up with another from a different class and ability group to produce the ambitious project. The project was overseen by Carlisle artist Catherine Bell and the school’s art co-ordinator Gill Wilson.

The tiles, which have been mounted on the front wall to create an impressive front entrance, went towards the school being granted a gold certificate in an ‘Inclusion Chartermark’ to highlight integration work.

Mrs Wilson said: “The students are really chuffed with the end result. I think it looks wonderful. When I look at it I can just see the children working together and that is better than the finished thing.

“I was so pleased with the way they all worked together.”

The Inclusion Chartermark award recognises the high level of inclusive practice both within the school and local community and the school was especially praised for its clear vision, communication skills and the engaging of all pupils in activities and projects.

It was introduced in 2005 by Cumbria County Council. Headteacher Lynne Brownrigg said: “It was a very ambitious and successful project. Mayfield School’s ethos is to have a very strong emphasis on inclusive working beyond the boundaries of school.

“Gill Wilson and Cath Bell ensured that all our learners accessed an innovative range of approaches in producing the tiles. It certainly catches one’s eye when approaching the main entrance.”

First published at 11:31, Wednesday, 07 October 2009
Published by http://www.newsandstar.co.uk