Arundel pupils pioneers in global project to raise awareness of endangered animals

Pupils at Arundel Church of England Primary School have become pioneers in a global conservation project, teaching children about endangered animals.
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Year-six pupils were told ‘you are the future’ before they learned how they can help to make a difference in the world.

Footprints is an awareness building experience, led by architect Ray Hole, and the aim is to spread the message to all primary schools across the UK.

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The Arundel school was the first to take part and head teacher Andrew Simpson said his pupils felt honoured to be the pioneers of this ‘very relevant experience’.

Maitland painting his footprintMaitland painting his footprint
Maitland painting his footprint

The children stencilled footprints of various endangered species on the playground surface to create a colourful artwork, sequenced to transition from black for extinct to green for least concern.

Arundel pupil Mackenzie Ford, ten, said: “This was an amazing experience. This was such amazing fun but with a serious message.

“It really raised our awareness of endangered species. Every time we walk across the courtyard, we will think about these animals and hope that their numbers have increased.”

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Ray Hole Architects has been responsible for creating habitats for endangered animals in captivity, including the enclosure at London Zoo for Asiatic lions, of which there are only 600 left in the world.

Maddy painting her footprintMaddy painting her footprint
Maddy painting her footprint

Footprints aims to express the IUCN Red List of endangered species in a tangible way through a simple graphic art installation ceremony.

Mr Simpson said: “This fun and engaging event brought attention, awareness and knowledge for the children actively participating.

“The ceremony comprised a short introductory presentation relating to the plight of endangered species, followed by a footprinting event in the school grounds.

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“The children chose from a range of footprints selected from species with varying degrees of endangerment, represented through a unique stencil of that species’ footprint.”

Oscar painting his footprintOscar painting his footprint
Oscar painting his footprint

Through the installation of artwork-based representations of the IUCN Red List, Footprints aims to engage children aged between five and 11 and help them to grow in to more ecologically-aware citizens.

It is intended to be a vital part of a much larger conservation awareness building strategy and global movement linked to behaviour change and behaviour nurturing in the young, a primary strategy in wildlife conservation.

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Marshall painting his footprintMarshall painting his footprint
Marshall painting his footprint
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