Coastal Class Names school art exhibition

The project has been led by local artist Katherine Renton and funded by the Northumberland Coast National Landscape. To celebrate its transition from a first to a primary school, all Amble Links classes have been named to reflect wildlife species living in the area.

Children from nursery class to year five created clay models and paintings inspired by these species, while learning more about them. Katherine then used the children’s work to design a logo for the classes. These have now been unveiled and will be displayed on each classroom door when the new school year starts.

Katherine said: “The art exhibition preview at Amble Links Primary School has rounded off a really fantastic wildlife project involving every child in the school from Nursery to Year 5. The quality of the artwork the pupils have produced has really taken my breath away, with every child producing a painting and clay model of a species of local wildlife.

“I have learnt as much as the children about the importance of the Amble area in providing habitats for birds and animals, many of which are now endangered. This has been a wonderful project to be a part of, and I'm very grateful to the Northumberland Coast National Landscape for providing the funding to engage with this amazing school community.”

Quotes from some of the children highlight their enjoyment of the project and connection with the wildlife living in their local landscape:

“I learnt that 30,000 Puffins nest on Coquet Island each year.”

“I enjoyed making the clay seals and learning about seals.”

“I enjoyed sculpting my bird. I loved to feel the clay. I enjoyed drawing my bird too.”

“I liked doing the patterns on the fish and printing my lobster.”

We’re looking forward to hearing the response to the new classroom door displays in September!