JUNIOR artists from a Pontypool primary school have showcased their creations as part of a national award scheme.

Twenty-six year five pupils from George Street Primary School have gained the Arts Award Explore which is an Entry Level 3 qualification on the Regulated Qualifications Framework (RQF).

Workbooks were on show for parents and arts council officials, whilst each individual child presented their art book to the class.

Kobi Preston-Watkins, a pupil at George Street, said: “It’s made me feel you can be whatever you want, as I am sporty but I now am creative too, art and being an artist in class has been really fun.”

Fellow pupil Amelia Johnson added: “I have enjoyed creating my own world and letting my imagination run free.”

The project was a joined up venture with the ‘Night Out Scheme’, ‘Young Promoters’ (Arts Council), Communities First and the Welsh Government ‘Fusion programme’.

Its aim was to encourage cohesion by developing social skills and broadening friendship networks as well as helping to improve academic performance in literacy and numeracy and to inspire greater interest and understanding in the arts.

Naz Syed, a visiting artist and tutor from the ‘Night Out Scheme’ who completed the arts awards books with the children said: “I have enjoyed seeing the children grow in confidence and using art to express themselves and use their imagination more.

“It has been wonderful to see their smiling faces creating their art work.

“I have enjoyed seeing the children grow in confidence, using art to express themselves.

“Taking part in a wide range of activities; dream jars, mixed media, collage, pottery and textiles.”

Cllr David Yeowell, the executive member for education and lifelong learning, said: “This all-encompassing project has seen the George Street pupils develop both their social and academic skills as well as promoting the importance of “friendship” to the success of their learning journey.

“Their achievement reflects well, not only on themselves but their school as well. They should all feel justifiably proud of themselves.”

A further 24 children from four different schools, including Blenheim Road Primary, Coed Eva, Woodlands and Panteg and have also successfully completed the award also.