Creativity in the Classroom and Community Spirit Beyond It

May got off to a wonderfully creative start at Peaslake Free School as the children immersed themselves in our annual Art Week. Across the week, every class had the opportunity to explore a wide range of artistic styles and techniques, producing some impressive work along the way.

We were especially pleased to welcome two talented local artists into school. Jethro Crabb captivated the children with his remarkable wax face models before leading hands-on clay workshops, where pupils used mirrors to sculpt their own self-portraits. We also welcomed Anna Mason, who guided the children in creating vibrant fruit paintings, with some fantastic results.

Alongside these workshops, the children experimented with collage, line drawing and natural art during their Forest School sessions, embracing creativity both in the classroom and outdoors.

The week concluded with a special exhibition in the school hall, where parents and families were invited to view the children’s artwork and celebrate all of their hard work and imagination. It was a joyful week that showcased the creativity, confidence and enthusiasm of everyone involved.

The children were also eagerly looking forward to the much-loved annual Teddy Bears’ Picnic at Abinger Hammer — a wonderful community event organised by parents from Peaslake Free School and Surrey Hills All Saints Primary School to raise money for both schools. Staff and parents worked together throughout the day to set up and run stalls, helping to create a fantastic atmosphere for families and visitors alike.

Despite an uncertain weather forecast, the sunshine arrived at just the right moments and the children had a truly joyful time enjoying the games, activities and community spirit. Events like these are a wonderful reminder of the strong partnership between our school, families and local community.