Communications

We would like to invite you and your school to take part in a free large-scale art project in collaboration with Lichfield Cathedral and artist Peter Walker, supported using public funding by Arts Council England.

For the last three years, Lichfield Cathedral has worked with schools, organisations, community groups and churches across the district to create art installations that have been on display throughout Advent. Last year we worked with 72 schools and other groups to produce 22,000 doves of peace that were suspended in the cathedral and were visited by over 30,000 people throughout the Christmas period. Previous projects in 2017 and 2016 have included 10,000 angels and 5,000 stars.

This year we will continue our successful engagement programme with a project entitled ‘In the Image and Likeness’ that will celebrate our personal journeys, our individuality and our human commonality. Artist Peter Walker will create the installation from golden framed self-portraits suspended in the centre of Lichfield Cathedral with it forming part of our Christmas event ‘The Cathedral Illuminated 2019: The Beginning’.

We ask you and your students to take part by contributing to this central artwork ‘constellation’ as well as to join many other settings in creating your own version of ‘constellation’ in your school (guidance will be provided). We aim to have a unique series of constellations in participating schools, churches and businesses across the region that will represent a universe of diversity yet commonality, with the central installation unifying them all.

The project has multiple links into the curriculum and is suitable for all age groups, from reception to sixth formers and staff. We would like as many people as possible to be involved and will be asking settings to share images of their constellation displays via social media and the hashtag #imageandlikeness. Over 5,000 people have already taken part by completing their self-portraits during the summer at this year’s Great Exhibition.

The activity

Each pupil is simply asked to draw a self-portrait or write a short statement about their own life on a golden framed postcard that you will then use to create your own simple but effective ‘constellation’ display for your school.

What we will provide

• A pack of 200 golden framed A5 postcards (more upon request)
• Guidance and ideas for creating your own bespoke ‘constellation’ display at your school.Guidance for teachers on potential links into the curriculum.

For the central installation at Lichfield Cathedral

We would like to include 10 individuals from each school in the central art installation at Lichfield Cathedral. This could be individuals (children or staff) who may have a special story to tell or have an achievement to be recognised or celebrated. We would like your school to provide a simple head and shoulders photo with correct permissions along with a short paragraph on each telling their stories via email before November 8 2019  (further guidance will be provided). The photographs will be used in the central artwork and some of the stories will also be displayed.

To request further information or to register your school and order your resources please reply via email to  cathy.fellows@lichfield-cathedral.org before September 27 2019. Resource packs will be distributed before the October half term and are available on a first-come-first-served basis.

We look forward to hearing from you.

With very best wishes

Cathy Fellows | Project Manager
Lichfield Cathedral

Solihull Council supports schools with learning outside the classroom opportunities and arranging a wide range of out of school activities, e.g. visits to museums, trips to the countryside, taking part in adventurous activities and residential trips etc. In preparation for new visits in the autumn term, we wanted to take the opportunity of reminding schools of the information, guidance and support which is available to ensure that educational trips and visits are safely managed and continue to be successful learning opportunities.

The guidance includes some changes to the approval of visits from 1 September 2019 to help streamline the process in the planning of educational trips. Please ensure all relevant staff including senior leaders and educational visit coordinators are aware of this information.

Please register pupils on a part-time timetable by using the protocol and form located on the solgrid education part-time timetables page. The council requires a nil return at the end of every term.