PUPILS from a Torfaen school celebrated their new status as a Creative Lead by hosting an afternoon of fun events last week.

With the sun shining on a splendid Friday afternoon, the children at Our Lady of the Angels Primary School danced, painted and sung after successfully applying for a grant of up to £10,000 from the Arts Council Wales.

It is one of the first schools to receive Creative Lead status and headteacher Sheelagh McCool decided to get involved so her pupils could flourish in ways outside of the classroom.

“Sometimes children who struggle with academics can really come to the forefront with using their talents, be it through dance, drama, painting or sport,” she said.

“By using all those skills, you can really reach out to the child and by getting involved in programmes like this; it can really aid their self-esteem at this young age.”

The imitative is sponsored by the Welsh Government and hopes to develop creative skills in children through bespoke learning.

Cwmbran Community Council chairman cllr Mike Johnston emphasised the importance of learning and how programmes like Creative Lead can push Cwmbran forward too.

He said: “We never stop learning – even at my age I am still learning – and these children are our future.

“We are trying to instil in them at this young age to look after our future. These are the people who will eventually push Cwmbran forward as a community, as a whole area and as a part of the United Kingdom.”

Normal lessons were put on hold for pupils across the age range from reception to year six, with the event starting with two choreographed renditions of Coldplay’s ‘Sky full of Stars’.

Year six students Evan Sellick and Grace Morgan, both 10, created faces from materials around them in Forest School.

The children were also read stories from Torfaen-based company Tall Tales.

School governor Pat Edwards said: “When something like this happens, you can see the enjoyment on their faces and it is so important for children to enjoy the things they get involved in."