CAPTION: Two primary schools have worked together with their local church to play their part in the climate conversation
Pupils from Devon Primary Schools Unleash their Creativity to Imagine a Greener Future
Pupils at two primary schools in Devon were asked one question, ‘what would your village look like if it were net zero?’
Halberton School with their net zero mural
Uplowman Church of England Primary School and Halberton Primary School recently teamed up with their local church, St Peter’s Church in Uplowman, to learn about how they can play their part in caring for creation through a creative task.
Both schools received funding from Plymouth University and were each invited to work with a local artist to create an artistic mural that encapsulated their ideas to how their villages could look if it were net zero.
The project was inspired by a creation care mural in Tiverton, which was created by Sustainable Tiverton, Devon Climate Emergency, and Plymouth University.
The local schools were invited to recreate something similar to the Tiverton mural, in a rural setting and acknowledging the importance of inspiring children to be involved in the conversation of creation care.
Mural at Uplowman Church of England Primary School
Pupils from Uplowman Church of England Primary School mural worked with local artist Heather Barlow, and pupils from Halberton Primary School’s worked with Stu Blam.
The pupils involved learnt about the part they can play in caring for the environment and hope that their creative work will help bring about a change of behaviour, both in the school community and beyond.
Christine Campion, Head of Teaching and Learning at Halberton Primary School, said, “The children really loved working collaboratively with the artist to design and create this fantastic mural.
“It was a thought-provoking process, and the children clearly understand how important it is for us to care for the environment by cutting carbon emissions. It is something we are really passionate about at school.”
The project was led by Steph Packham, who is the Chair of Governors for both Halberton Primary School and Uplowman Church of England Primary School, and is also a Churchwarden at St Peter’s Church, Uplowman.
Steph said, “Art is such an effective way to communicate about the climate emergency. It is amazing how both schools had the same brief, yet the artistic interpretation has turned out so differently.”
“The children really embraced the project and had amazing ideas about things people could do to make a difference, both within the school community and beyond.
Mural at Halberton Primary School
“The hope is that people will be inspired by the murals to act and to make a difference in their own locality.”
Sarah Charker, Creation Care and Engagement Officer at the Diocese of Exeter, said, “It is inspiring to see how the schools and churches in Uplowman and Halberton are coming together to care for creation and raising awareness in their communities on the importance of cutting carbon.
“We would love to see more churches and schools across the diocese partnering together to tackle the climate crisis and biodiversity loss. There are so many wonderful benefits to both churches and schools in creating environment partnerships. Our children and young people care deeply about the environment and there is such an opportunity for churches to step in and encourage and support schools in this area.”
To schools and churches considering working together to care for the creation, Steph said, “A Net Zero Visions mural is a great way to engage communities in the climate debate. It catches people’s attention, gets people talking, and most importantly inspires action.
“If you do get involved, you too will become part of a wider network of people trying to make a difference in their own community through the arts.”
Steph has a heart for rural ministry and enjoys finding ways to engage others in the climate change debate. She said, “The call to actively care and protect the environment is an important part of how I live out my faith.”
Pupils at Halberton Primary School have enjoyed learning about the climate emergency and how they can make a difference in their school, home and community
Her heart for creation inspired her to organise the ‘Creation Hub’, an eco-event at Uplowman Village Hall. The event was an opportunity for people to gather and talk about the climate emergency and discuss practically what could be done to help their community.
St Peter’s Church, Uplowman, is one of the churches in Devon who are taking part in the Eco Church scheme. This is a scheme by Arocha UK which has been designed encourages and equips churches in their journey to become more environmentally friendly.
There is also an Eco Schools Programme, which is part of the Keep Britain Tidy charity. The Eco Schools programme is a pupil-led education programme for all types of schools, from primary and secondary, to colleges, nurseries, and SEND settings, and it is an internationally recognised award.
The programme provides a simple, seven-step framework for schools to work through, and empowers young people to make a difference in their schools, local community and beyond.
If you would like to find out more information about the Eco Schools programme, click here.
To find out more information about the Eco Church scheme, click here.
