School mural to raise children’s aspirations

Mural at St Margaret's Academy, Torquay

A primary school in Torquay has commissioned a mural depicting historical events, people and places in the hope it will inspire pupils.

St Margaret’s Academy has had an extra £20,000 this year due to parent teacher association (PTA) fundraising and successful grant applications.

The mural shows events and places in time which are local, national and international.

The money has also helped fund the school library, resources for its pupils with special needs and outdoor equipment.

Artist Neil Wilkinson-Cave and his mural at St Margaret's Academy

The mural has been created by artist Neil Wilkinson-Cave of Sacredart Murals.

He has used different styles to depict a number of scenes including World War Two, the Romans and dinosaurs.

As the school opened its doors last week for the new term the children got to see the artwork for the first time.

“It looks like it's coming to life,” said Noah, a year six student.

“The chimney sweep; he looks like he could pop up that chimney any minute now,” he added.

Mr Wilkinson-Cave was delighted with the reaction it received from the children.

“It brings me joy to see their faces and to bring colour and light and to spark their imaginations,” he said.

Laura Kenyon and Felicity Morris of the Parent Teacher Association

Laura Kenyon is chair of the school’s PTA and said: “I think Neil’s work gives something different to education.

"I think for those children that might not necessarily engage in reading the arts is another way to get some history into them,” she said.

Head teacher Tim Hughes said: “Anything like this is a draw for children to come into school and see the value of education.

“Likewise with the magnificent library. When you see that it is incredible. The one thing children need to be able to do to succeed is to be able to read and that library is an inspiration.

"We just wouldn’t have it without the PTA.”

Head Teacher Tim Hughes

The Department for Education (DfE) says there is no expectation for parents to contribute to school costs and it continues to monitor the expenses schools face.

In a statement a DfE spokesperson said :“We recognise the challenges that schools are facing which is why the education secretary is committed to resetting the relationship with the education workforce working alongside them to break down barriers to opportunity.

“We are providing schools with almost £1.1 billion in 2024-25 through the new Core Schools Budget Grant, to support them with overall costs, bringing the total core schools budget to almost £61.8 billion in 2024-25.

“It is for individual schools to decide how best to provide and maintain a library service for their pupils and we give headteachers autonomy to decide how best to spend the overall funding that we give them.”