Students’ unveil their inspiring station mural

Pupils spent four days creating the mural in an aim to encourage people to use public transport to get to the South Downs National Park.

The 5.5 metre by two metre painting shows two cyclists heading to the hills through a field of corn.

It went on display in the bike shelter on October 21.

The group of 12 to 16-year-old pupils started the mural project in October last trip with a field trip where students investigated what makes the South Downs National Park special – including how easy it is to reach by train.

Kiara Smith, a year 10 Student, said: “I was lucky enough to take part in both the photography and the painting of the mural for this project and thought it was an amazing experience. We were able to go on a visit to the South Downs, ride in Land Rovers and look around the Amberley Museum and village. We got to experience what it is like to work to a brief, like a professional artist would do in industry, and the best bit is seeing our artwork up in our local community.”

“Wherever you go on the South Downs, there is beauty. Wherever you walk, you can always see something quite spectacular. Whatever time of year or season, it is the perfect place to go. The poster was aimed to mirror these ideas and I hope the mural will make people want to visit.”

Teacher Caroline Wood-
ward said: “It’s amazing to have a resource like the South Downs on our doorstep and be able to use it to bring the curriculum to life.”

This is one of a series of projects to inspire people to use buses, trains, walk and cycle in the South Downs National Park.