Children and staff at Devoran Primary School celebrated the first year in their exciting new building by taking part in a week long arts project.

Lead teacher Lucie Fitton and local potter and parent Jacqueline Clark had the initial idea to design and make a ceramic mural that each pupil in the school could contribute to. The finished design for the mural was inspired by the work of artist John Dyer and incorporates themes of the local environment as well as the many circular architectural features found around the new school building.

The week started with a visit and painting workshop from John Dyer who inspired the children with his lively approach to colour and composition. Every child then produced a Cornish landscape of their own which will be displayed at the official opening of the school in September.

Devoran headteacher Carol Breakwell said: “We feel so privileged to have been able to spend a day working with John Dyer and then through the week with Jacqueline. It has made an enormous difference to the children’s creativity and motivation to work with such inspiring artists.”

The whole mural was then pieced together like a giant jigsaw puzzle and will be extremely effective once it is on the wall. On completion the two metre diameter mural made from Cornish clay will be positioned in pride of place by the school entrance.

The school will be officially opened by John Dyer in September 2008