A Surrey primary school has had an outbreak of some rather unusual creepy crawlies in its playground.
The creatures, which include a caterpillar, dragonfly, bee and family of snails, are all intricate mosaics created by reception pupils at Folly Hill infant school, the smallest infant school in the Farnham area.
With the help of local artist Denise Jacques and a grant from the South Street Trust, which provides funding for educational arts activities, the creepy crawlies have now taken up residence around the school.
But more than creativity was involved, with maths playing a pivotal role in the mosaic-making.
The children were encouraged to count, estimate, make a sequence, use symmetry and sort colour, shape and size; as well as manage their time to complete their creatures.
Jacques, who is a mixed-media artist specialising in mosaics, has worked in art and education for more than 20 years and got involved with the school after being approached by teacher, Jane Norbury.
“Jane had visited my studio and previously attended one of my mosaic workshops. Together, we put in a bid for a grant from the South Street Trust.”
The trust – run by Farnham town council – has an annual pot of £20,000 and awards about 25 grants a year. In the past it has helped to fund a clay exploration class for children aged 3 to 11 at the historic Farnham Pottery barn, and has commissioned artists to work with children in local schools.
Jacques added: “Working with reception-aged children at Folly Hill was a wonderful experience. They were engaged and focused, while learning
to work as part of a team and creating something to be proud of.”
The pieces are so impressive, that visitors to the school have asked whether they are up for sale.
Headteacher Ali Stone, said: “The mosaics are in the playground, the nature area and at the entrance of the school, so you see them as you come in.
Parents have said that they’re beautiful, and we’ve had visitors come in and say they’d like to have them for themselves.
“The children obviously had a lot of support. Denise was just amazing with the children.”
Featured picture: Artist Denise Jacques with the mosaic-makers and their creations
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