Ceramics make school loos a brighter place
03/02/2006
A Cardiff primary school’s loos have been given a new lease of life thanks to a team of BA (Hons) Ceramics students from the University of Wales Institute, Cardiff (UWIC).
(Front to back) Lauren Maidment, 8, Kirk Talbot-Boyd, 8, and Ismael Diakiesse, 8, in the newly-tiled junior loos at Baden Powell School. Photo: Roger Donovan.
Recent national reports have suggested that school toilets can be unpleasant or even scary places for children.
And these concerns prompted the Cardiff School of Art and Design students to set up an art club, to work with Key Stage Two (aged eight to 10) pupils at Baden Powell School in Tremorfa, Cardiff.
 
Working with the art students, the pupils painted and drew on plain ceramic tiles and their colourful designs were then glazed and put up in the junior loos.
The six-week project on the theme of ‘Activities’ was organised through the Cardiff ‘hub’ of the First Campus initiative.
Lauren Maidment, 8, said: “I enjoyed drawing and painting on the tiles. My tiles had pictures of gymnastics and cheerleading because I enjoy them.”
Kirk Talbot-Boyd, 8, added: “I like Arsenal, so I drew footballer Freddie Ljungberg on one of my tiles. I think the tiles have really improved the boys’ toilets, they look really good.” BA (Hons) Ceramics student Johan Wingestad said: “It has been a wonderful opportunity to work with a real-life community art project and a valuable insight into the world of teaching.
“We have had excellent support throughout the project from UWIC, the staff at Baden Powell and not to mention the pupils themselves, who accomplished such amazing drawings and paintings.”
Headteacher of Baden Powell School Goronwy Jones said: “This initiative from the UWIC Ceramics students and the Cardiff ‘hub’ of First Campus has been most welcome – the finished result is just wonderful!
 
“It’s really brightened up the facilities and it’s been an excellent educational experience – the pupils are very proud of their work. They have enjoyed the art club immensely and their enthusiasm for the project shone through.”
First Campus Cardiff ‘hub’ officer Annie Davies added: “Keeping pupils of this age engaged in learning through a fun and interactive project is very important. This informal mentoring of Baden Powell’s pupils by university students is a valuable learning experience for both groups, as well as something which has brightened up the pupils’ surroundings.”
View story on UWIC site
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