"We got to learn from the professionals and the CPD for the staff will have a lasting impact" - CP Co-ordinator Julie Cayton

Everyone at Balby Central Primary, from teachers and parents to pupils as young as five, have been learning collaboratively, as part of a Creative Partnerships project to redesign parts of their school.

With the help of innovative creative design co-ordinator, James Copp, who specialises in community engagement and internationally renowned sculptor, Dan Jones, pupils, staff and parents were able to explore their design dreams, wishes and visions.

Lively workshop activities were led by University students in Architecture encouraging suggestions from pupils, including creating an aquatic theme in the entrance with fish tanks, turquoise painted walls and sea life artwork, while other design ideas included bold railway style signage and coloured lighting throughout the school halls.

Sheffield Hallam University students gained experience of real and meaningful consultation and developed their reporting skills during the project . James Copp explained:

“We had a series of seminars with the students before we came to the School in developing with them the most appropriate way to work with younger children. I think the students learnt a huge amount from the project and were impressed by the imagination and interest in design of such young children.”

Julie Cayton added: “This Creative Partnerships project meant the children had to think about other people’s needs when redesigning the areas and this opened up a lot of debate. They worked together as a team”

Sourcing funding for the project will now mean increased school and community involvement, in order to make those designs a reality.