PUPILS at St Peter’s School, Wrecclesham. brought their history and arts curricula alive by learning how to create and fire pots according to ancient practices.

The learning has been part of a project which has involved working together with Farnham-based potters, historians and charitable organisations.

It began with every junior child visiting Farnham Pottery, the best preserved example of a Victorian pottery in England, to learn how to make a pot corresponding to the period they were studying in history.

This ranged from the Ancient Greeks, through to the Vikings and also included pottery inspired by the Chinese Shang Dynasty.

Members of Farnham Pottery-based West Street Potters led workshops showing the children how to work the clay and create an authentic design.

Susannah Russell, history lead at St Peter’s said: “This was a fantastic opportunity for the children to use their learning in both history and art.

“By creating the pots and seeing all stages of production, the children understood the role that pottery played in people’s lives.

“They have also been able to discover the history of pottery in their own locality which gives an added sense of community.”

The school has also been working with local archaeologist, Anne Sassin Allen who has led the community project ‘Finding Farnham’.

This gave all children from year two up the experience of participating in a real archeological dig, while at the same time finding out about an archaeologist’s role.

Anne then supported Susannah to obtain funding to raise money to build a Roman style kiln in the school grounds.

Susannah added: “We raised more than £5,000 towards this very special kiln. Once the finance was in place, we made contact with a specialist in ancient pottery technologies, Graham Taylor, who then spent a week reconstructing a Roman style kiln in the school’s forest area.

“We are indebted to the local community, namely The Farnham Institute, South Street Trust, Ernest Cook Trust and our school’s PTFA.

“This is all about bringing the arts and history together. It is a sustainable project and we have already used the kiln several times this term.”

Susannah explained that a member of the school’s staff has been specially trained to fire the kiln which takes quite a bit of work.

Children are involved in checking the kiln’s temperatures and also gathering the wood and preparing the fire.

St Peter’s pottery plans have also been documented by Rob Watts from Roehampton University who has established the Foundation for Art and Creativity in Education (FACE). Rob has cited St Peter’s project as an excellent example of innovative partnerships in art education.

St Peter’s would be happy to speak to other schools/groups with an interest in the outdoor kiln.

For further information call Sarah Marshall, St Peter’s deputy headteacher, on 01252 714115.