Date Added: 01 May 2007

Image of a big group of students outside Weymouth College

120 budding artists from local primary and secondary schools in the Chesil Education Partnership area joined forces with Weymouth College arts department and created a giant fish sculpture which now proudly takes a prime position in the College grounds.

School children from Bincombe Valley Primary School, St Andrew’s Primary School, St Georges Primary School, St Johns Primary School, All Saints C of E School, The Wey Valley Sports College, Budmouth Technology College and Royal Manor Arts College have been working on the massive project for 3 months and have together created over 1000 scales that are individually hand-tied to the giant fish structure which is 5 metres long and 2 metres wide. Over 125 kg of clay was used to make the scales before they were each individually hand painted by the students. The scales also consists of 350 recycled drinks cans donated from Asda.

Sue Moore, Principal of Weymouth College unveiled the fish in front of the excited audience who saw the final project for the first time. She said: “Weymouth College is really proud to have such a fantastic art project displayed at the College. We love working with the local schools and hope that you will enjoy coming back to the College in the future and see the ‘Giant Fish’ still on display knowing that you each had a part in the making of such a wonderful creation.”

Sue Moore also gave each school who took part in the project a fish plaque to take back to remember the event. The children, accompanied by their teachers made good use of their time at the College and took part in a ‘Big Quiz’ designed to take them around the College and enabled them to see the range of facilities and to have some fun at the same time before finally enjoying a fish lunch in the College restaurant.

The College music students provided entertainment during the lunch and before the children left, a wetsuit, donated by O’Three, was presented to The Big Quiz winner – Emma Stephenson from St Andrew’s Primary School.

Laura Jones (10) from St Andrew’s Primary School said:” Seeing the fish unveiled was great. It looked much nicer than I thought it would and also so much bigger. I have really enjoyed taking part in the workshops and I am proud to have made 4 scales for the fish.”

James Mansfield (10) from Bincombe Valley School said: “The fish looks amazing, really cool. I am very pleased I was chosen to take part in this project, coming to College was fun and I’m also enjoying the lunch here.”

Sarah Colwell, Project Manager at Weymouth College said: “ Every year we run a different project on a ‘Big’ theme, last year it was the ‘Big Picture’, this year the ‘Big Fish’. Our staff enjoy these projects just as much as the children who take part and are already planning for next year’s ‘Big’ Project. We are very grateful to AimHigher for their continued sponsorship and support that has enabled us to run these fantastic projects.”

Aim Higher supports innovative initiatives that promote progression to further and higher education.