Students make Berwick Shine
Five schools in Berwick upon Tweed worked with artist Martha Ellis and The Maltings (Berwick) Trust to create a shoal of willow salmon lanterns that lit up the town over winter.
Inspired by the medieval tradition of lanterns in the town detailed in historic documents in the archives as far back as 1604, and the tradition of salmon fishing on the River Tweed, the project combined history, heritage and creativity with opportunities for showcasing lanterns across the town to light up Berwick during the winter months.
Funding for the project was provided by Arts Council England, through the UK Government’s Cultural Development Fund.
Timeline
November 2024 – January 2025
Project Partners
Artists
Martha Ellis
Organisations
The Maltings (Berwick) Trust
Berwick Record Office
King’s Own Scottish Borderers Museum
English Heritage
Schools Involved
- Tweedmouth Prior Park First School
- Berwick Academy
- St Cuthbert’s RC First School
- Tweedmouth Community Middle School
- The Grove SEND School
Key Goals
- To increase pupils’ understanding of local heritage and history
- To allow pupils to explore technical 3D construction at scale
- To build on teamwork within the school setting
- To build stronger connections between schools, artists and community
- To showcase creative outputs across the town
The Inspiration
The project emerged from an artist call-out for The Living Barracks project, a multi-partner programme to restore and redevelop Berwick Barracks including a cultural development strand of artist-led residencies and commissions which is produced by The Maltings (Berwick) Trust. The proposal from Martha Ellis combined large scale sculptural techniques with visible and inspiring outcome.
The project took place across 5 different schools from Year 4 to Year 12 pupils. The artist adapted workshop methods to the level of ability some classes worked in teams to make one lantern, older pupils worked on individual pieces and pupils with additional needs focused on sensory elements to build collaborative lanterns.
Outcomes
Pupil Participation
98 pupils across 5 schools participated in workshops and created a total of 37 large salmon lanterns
Strengthening links in the community
The project strengthened existing links and created new links with schools and teachers and created new links with local businesses who hosted lanterns over the Christmas period complete with an interactive town trail
Building new traditions in Berwick
Lanterns were carried by school pupils in a community lantern procession to mark the switching on of the town’s Christmas lights. There are now plans for an annual lantern procession at Christmas and the lanterns are planned to be used for more community gala events
Impact
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MELVA: Children’s Wellbeing and Mental Health Education Through Storytelling
With the support of the North of Tyne Combined Authority, theatre and creative learning charity Mortal Fools made their award-winning, creative mental health programme, MELVA, available free of charge to over 50 local primary schools.
Through the MELVA programme, children engage with a range of different art forms and storytelling devices – including short animations and digital theatre – which explore mental health and wellbeing topics in an accessible, child-friendly way. These are accompanied by practical and creative activities designed to help children cultivate positive wellbeing habits and self-management techniques.
Timeline
September 2023 – July 2024
Project Partners
Creators and Producers
Mortal Fools
Collaborators
Danielle Slade – Playwright
Vida Creative – Web Developers
Key Goals
- To increase pupils’ understanding of mental health and wellbeing through creative storytelling
- To teach pupils practical self-management techniques
- To improve teachers’ confidence in addressing mental health topics in school
The Inspiration
The MELVA programme began life as a children’s theatre show in Christmas 2017, telling the story of nearly-11-year-old, Melva Mapletree, as she navigates her struggles with anxiety and bereavement (or ‘worrits’ as they’re known in her world). The play was developed in consultation with children, who helped shape the character and story at every stage. Following its initial success, the play was developed into a regional schools’ tour with wraparound activities, visiting 28 North East primary schools. When the pandemic hit, Mortal Fools acted fast to transform this live programme into a fully digital resource, and today, it is used by over 100 schools and reaches 1000s of children every year.
Outcomes
Increased reach to children in the North East
Over 3,000 children participated in the MELVA digital programme between September 2023 – July 2024.
Improving knowledge and understanding
Evaluation received from a sample of schools demonstrated a 94% improvement in pupils’ understanding of mental health and wellbeing topics, and a 99% increase in their knowledge of practical self-management techniques (as rated by teachers).
Improving children’s wellbeing
Wellbeing was measured using the integrated PERMATM Framework for mental wellbeing, with every PERMATM pillar being rated highly by children in over 60% of MELVA sessions (most notably Positive Emotion, rated highly in 81% of sessions).
Empowering Teachers
Teachers reported increased confidence in addressing mental health topics in school and a greater awareness of children’s anxieties, with some describing the accompanying CPD training as ‘transformational’.
Providing sustainable strategies in schools
In academic year 24/25, North East Combined Authority renewed and expanded their funding offer to over 100 schools, with 81% of the existing school partners choosing to continue using MELVA.
Impact
Funding Partners
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Creative Interventions: Building Confidence through Creativity
This project engaged students from Duke’s Secondary School in weekly creative sessions, working alongside artists to achieve an Explore Arts Award qualification.
The project aimed to support the development of students’ wellbeing including key skills such as confidence, teamwork, and resilience. The project theme was nature-based and included an outdoor creative session, a devised audio piece and a showcase event in school with other young people and staff.
Timeline
Spring Term 2024 and Autumn Term 2024
Project Partners
Natural England
Mortal Fools
Schools Involved
- NCEA Duke’s Secondary School
Key Goals
- To improve students’ wellbeing and skills to support them to thrive more in school and their wider lives.
- To encourage creative expression through a range of different art forms.
- To develop our long-term partnership with the school.
The Inspiration
The project specifically supported students who had been referred for support with their wellbeing and skills, due to a range of different needs and lived experiences (e.g., neurodivergence, social emotional & mental health, challenging family circumstances)
In working toward the Arts Award Explore, students made nature-based collages, imaginary maps, zines, and four soundscapes expressing their experiences of real and fantasy outdoors spaces using exploration of the actual outdoors to record Foley sound effects.
Outcomes
Accessing Arts Qualification
12 students participated and achieved an Explore Arts Award qualification.
Benefits to social and emotional wellbeing
Pupils reported increased confidence and a sense of feeling valued and listened to. They also reported improved friendships, social interaction, and trust in others.
Improved Emotional Regulation
Pupils felt that after the intervention they were better able to manage their emotions and practice emotional regulation.
Increased Confidence
The sessions enabled pupils to confidently express their thoughts and opinions in front of others, as well as feeling able to talk about their interests and express themselves through creative experiences.
Building relationships
Both pupils and school teachers felt that these interventions improved relationships in school and increased the sense of partnership between school and pupils.
Impact
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Empowering Students Through Eco Textiles and Community Collaboration
This project empowered DCHS students to explore sustainable Textiles through the Eco Project in partnership with The Alnwick Garden. It expanded creative learning opportunities for both secondary and primary pupils, with students leading workshops, exhibiting their work, and engaging with the wider community.
Timeline
Ongoing project since 2024, with key developments in the 2024-2025 academic year
Project Partners
Organisations
The Alnwick Garden Education Team
Schools Involved
- Duchess’s Community High School (DCHS)
- Swansfield Park Primary School
- Seahouses Primary School
- Shilbottle Primary School
Key Goals
- Develop sustainable textiles knowledge through creative practice
- Build leadership skills and confidence in older students
- Connect primary and secondary pupils through shared creative experiences
- Strengthen school partnerships with arts organisations
- Provide public exhibition opportunities for student work
The Inspiration
The Eco Project was developed as a Textiles initiative that introduces students to natural dyeing and sustainable practices.
Students learned to use plant-based dyes to create meaningful artwork. Older pupils took on leadership roles, supporting a weekly Textiles Club and leading workshops at local primary schools.
The project expanded to include tailored schemes of work for both GCSE classes and primary cohorts. Collaboration with The Alnwick Garden enabled the project to culminate in a public exhibition and laid the foundation for future events, such as a proposed “Primary Planting Day.”
Outcomes
Community Collaboration
Over 20 students from DCHS participated in workshops and exhibitions and three local primary schools engaged in the extended project, working with a key community organisation to produce a successful final exhibition.
Developing Leadership Skills
The year 12 students from DCHS used this opportunity to develop leadership skills as part of The Gold Arts Award. This Level 3 qualification is young person-led and encourages creativity and independent learning.
Improving Creativity Standards in School
Work on this project led to The Duchess’ Community High School being awarded a Platinum Artsmark Award, accredited by Arts Council England. The Artsmark Award is the only creative quality standard for schools and education settings in England, where schools are recognised for their exceptional commitment to creativity.
Developing Professional Skills and Confidence
Working with subject specific teachers and Y12 students strengthened the confidence of primary teachers in delivering Textiles content in their individual settings
Impact
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