School runs community art project

A school in the west Midlands is working in partnership with both the S.P.A.C.E organisation and The Project Group to deliver art experiences to the whole community.

The Lakelands School in Shropshire said that the project was conceived after a study found that there was room within the area for a variety of age groups to become more involved in cultural, craft and arts activities.

Duncan Setterington, extended schools development officer of the education centre, who is fronting the project, said: 'Learning doesn't just happen behind a desk or in a classroom, it's all around us, and should be an attitude and a culture.

'Access Art is a really progressive and innovative step towards extended learning, way beyond a school's normal reach, using art to help develop an exciting and creative environment for a whole community.'

Mr Setterington also commented that the project was benefitting from the support and expertise of the Arts Council.

The project began with a series of after-school activities for school children before extending to adult classes and schemes that involved the whole community.