Key Stage 2 pupils at Bearnes Voluntary Primary School in Newton Abbot enjoyed a two-day willow workshop with local artist, Anna Boland. 

The workshop was sponsored by The Helen Foundation and facilitated by Daisi.  

The Helen Foundation was launched in January 2006 as a living memorial to Helen Elizabeth Kirk, aged 24, who tragically died after a road accident in December 2005.  Each year The Helen Foundation subsidises art-based workshops led by professional artists, in schools in Teignbridge.  

Pupils made a variety of insects for the school’s new outdoor learning area, which opens in September. 

They learned how wet the willow needs to be to be able to shape it, and then went on to create their own designs.   School administrator Penny Young said: ‘ We really look forward to seeing them up in our new Outdoor space after the holidays.’

The pupils had plenyty to say about their creative day. One Year 6 boy said: ‘I have learnt lots about willow and with my partner we made a bee with a stinger. I really enjoyed bending the willow and watching our bee take shape.’

And Year 5 girl added: ‘Ifound working as a team with my partner enjoyable. I also found weaving hard because I kept on snapping it. I made a dragonfly with my partner which was really fun - I loved it.”

It wasn’t a straightforward as you would think. AS one Year 4 girl explained: ‘I found it quite hard to bend willow into circles but I learnt to have patience, then I really enjoyed it.  It was a fantastic morning.’