An eye-catching mural designed by pupils at Eton Park Junior School in Burton upon Trent has been unveiled, thanks to a £2,000 community grant from affordable housing provider Trent & Dove. The funds enabled the school to commission professional artist Tom Edwards to create a permanent artwork inspired by children's ideas and centered around the school's core values: work hard, be kind and choose wisely.
Project Goals and Creative Workshops
The project aimed to build pupils' confidence in art, introduce them to collage techniques, and ensure every child contributed to the creative process. During a series of workshops, students explored composition, layering, color, and symbolic imagery before sharing ideas that shaped the final design. A group of children then worked alongside Tom Edwards to paint the mural, adding color, texture, and detail to create a lasting piece of artwork for the school.
The mural stands as a vibrant legacy for the school, reflecting the collective effort and creativity of its students. According to the school, every pupil played a part in bringing the design to life, with the artwork now serving as a permanent reminder of their hard work.
Community Grant Fund Impact
Trent & Dove's Community Grant Fund supports projects that deliver educational, social, and community benefits. Grants of up to £2,000 are available for community organisations, alongside funding for young people and lifelong learning opportunities. The fund is part of Trent & Dove's commitment to improving the quality of life for people living and working in the communities where it provides homes.
Rachael Hughes, Trent & Dove's head of customer and communities, said: "Our Community Grant Fund is all about helping local people bring positive ideas to life and creating opportunities that have a lasting impact. This project is a fantastic example of what can be achieved when schools, communities and local organisations work together. Not only has the mural created a vibrant legacy for Eton Park Junior School, but the children have also developed new creative skills and shaped something they can be proud of for years to come."
School Leadership Praise
James Cassidy, headteacher at Eton Park Junior School, said: "We are incredibly grateful to Trent & Dove for supporting this wonderful project. The funding has given our pupils a unique opportunity to work alongside a professional artist, explore new creative techniques and see their own ideas transformed into a permanent piece of artwork that reflects our school's values. The mural is something the whole school community can take pride in, but the greatest benefit has been the creativity and sense of ownership the children have developed throughout the project. Every pupil played a part in bringing it to life, and it will be a lasting legacy of their hard work."
One pupil reflected on the experience: "It feels like there is a part left of me, and my experience with the artist was really fun. I enjoyed every moment we shared."
Lasting Community Legacy
The mural not only enhances the school environment but also strengthens community ties, demonstrating how targeted funding can inspire creativity and collaboration. Trent & Dove plans to continue supporting similar initiatives through its Community Grant Fund, reinforcing its role as a socially responsible housing provider in Burton upon Trent and beyond.
