Pupils mix with giants of art on walls of National Gallery

PIECEs of artwork produced by pupils from a primary school in Barnsley are set to go on show at one of the country’s leading art galleries, after the children impressed judges in a national competition.

Representatives from the National Gallery in London visited Gawber Primary School in December last year, to view pupils’ work inspired by the painting Tobias and the Angel by Italian artist Andrea del Verrocchio.

Prior to their visit, photographs of the children’s drawings had been submitted to the gallery as part of the annual Take One Picture project.

The school was then selected as one of the finalists and now it has been announced that the children’s work has been chosen to go on display in May at the gallery in central London.

Headteacher’s secretary Liz Asquith said: “The children are very excited about this.

“We’re the only school from the north to be chosen and it’s a really great achievement.

“The teachers that have been working with the children are also thrilled, and are hoping to take them down to London to see the exhibition for themselves.”

Take One Picture is the National Gallery’s national scheme for primary schools, which each year focuses on a different painting from the collection. Teachers are given a print to be used in the classroom to inspire children, and the best work then goes on display in London.

Last year, work from 12 different primary schools was chosen to go on display, with most of the schools being in London and the Home Counties.