The school hall was transformed into a bustling African savannah this week as Key Stage 1 hosted spectacular junk modelling workshops during their art lessons over a two week period. Pupils from Year 1 and Year 2 combined engineering with art to create impressive sculptures of Africa’s famous ‘Big Five’ animals: the lion, leopard, rhinoceros, elephant, and Cape buffalo.

The creative process began with heaps of recycled materials. Empty cereal boxes, cardboard tubes, and plastic bottles were cleverly taped together to form the sturdy skeletons and silhouettes of the animals.

Working as a team, the Year 1 children practiced their cooperation skills by building one large-scale animal per table. Meanwhile, the Year 2 pupils took on an individual challenge, each designing and constructing their own unique creature.

Once the structures were complete, the young artists moved on to the final stage: Modroc. The children learned how to dip the plaster-coated bandages into water and layer them over their recycled frames. As the Modroc dried, the flimsy cardboard was transformed into hard, white stone-like sculptures.

"It was a bit messy, but it was amazing to see a cereal box turn into an elephant's body!" said one Year 2 student.

This project not only showcased the children's artistic talents but also taught them the importance of recycling and problem solving and resilience for building sturdy and well balanced sculptures.

Well done to our talented Key Stage 1 designers!