Fairley House School - London's leading day school for specific learning difficulties

A new art room has been officially opened at Fairley House in a very exciting event called ‘An Evening of Enlightenment’. The event was a collaboration between the Royal College of Art and Fairley House and included a presentation of the school’s ten year strategy. It was attended by a large number of parents, staff, governors and former governors and the superb catering was kindly supplied by the Parents Association.

The Principal, Jackie Murray, gave a PowerPoint presentation on the school’s future plans which include an expanded school with unified premises, and an assessment and a research centre. The official part of the evening culminated in a symbolic cutting of a ribbon by Daphne Hamilton-Fairley who declared the new art room open. The guests were then able to visit the new art room and Library and see that various activities that were taking place.

Qona Rankin, Dyslexia Co-ordinator of the Royal College of Art, led workshops with several MA students who worked a number of talented Fairley House pupils from both the junior and senior departments. She then held a jewellery making workshop with a mixed group from years 5, 6 and 7.

Stuart McCaffer’s amazing inflatable sculpture took over most of the Library and really enthused the children. He worked with four Year 8 pupils who used bin bags, tape and an electric fan to construct the sculpture. Once it was fully inflated, the children went inside and had tremendous fun.

Lisa Johansen worked with a group of Year 5, 6 and 7 making protective ‘helmets’ for eggs that would allow them to be dropped without breaking. They used shock-absorbing materials such as foam, bubble-wrap and popcorn. To add to the drama, the eggs were dropped from a classroom window, keenly viewed by the audience below.

Alicia Hart worked with a group of children to make stained glass effect decorations for the windows. Inspired by images of famous artworks, they used tissue paper and PVA glue, with splendid results.

The new Art Room had a mixed exhibition with Key Stage 3 artwork being exhibited alongside work by RCA students. The variety of work on show proved exactly how dynamic and exciting art is at Fairley House School.

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