Whitworth artists have designs on their new look school

Young artists have seen their work enlarged and affixed to hoardings around what will become their new school.

A new two- and three-storey Whitworth Community High School is being built adjacent to the existing school and work is scheduled for completion very early next year.

Students from Years 7, 8 and 9 were invited to create artwork and Dave Madders and Angie Eardley, from contractors Wates Construction Ltd, judged the many entries.

The three winners: Year 9 Misha Kamran, Year 8 Tom Auxilly and Year 7 Sofia Merlo, received a letter and vouchers and got to sign a piece of steel before it was craned into position to form the skeleton framework of the new building.

They also now have the honour of seeing their work enlarged and placed on hoardings in the school entrance driveway so it is available for all to view as they arrive at school.

Misha, 13, is taking GCSE art, wants to study a fine art degree and then become an artist.

She said: “I was very happy and surprised when I saw my work on the hoardings because I didn’t think it would look that good.

“In December, we were all asked to create a piece of artwork for the competition. It had to be to do with the building and they said we could use whatever we want to create it. I used watercolour pens.

“I wanted to use the new building and I also made it a bit abstract with the school logo and lots of colour.”

Tom, 13, said: “I started with the school logo and then had all the different subjects coming out of it, there is a large crane lifting it up, on the other side there is a wrecking ball removing the bricks of the old building and there are figures to represent the whole community and the students.

“I am looking forward to the new football pitches and I play for Whitworth Valley Football Club and the school team.

“I initially walked past the hoardings and didn’t see my picture then my friends told me it was up. When I saw it I thought it was cool. My friends were shocked to see my work up there.”

Sofia, 12, blended the old school building with the new one for her picture and is hoping for a future career in art therapy.

She said: “I was initially embarrassed when I saw my picture on the hoardings because everyone could see my work, but my friends really liked it and that made me feel happy.

“I am really excited about the new school being built, I really like all the greenery that there will be around the building and I think it will be really welcoming.”

The building project is funded as part of the government’s £1 billion School Rebuilding Programme and Whitworth Community High will remain fully operational while the works are carried out.

The new L-shaped building will vary in height and only the existing sports hall, which was constructed about 15 years ago, will remain. Two new pitches will be created and the existing playing fields and hard surface areas will remain.
 

Read more: Artist impressions released of how Littleborough Community Primary School and Whitworth Community High School could look under govt rebuild plansPublished: 16 April 2021