Reading College students and teacher Heidi Ramsay

Students on a project headed by teacher Heidi Ramsay designed and painted three church murals for St John & St Stephen’s Church.

The Creative Practice: Art, Design and Communication Level 3 Extended Diploma and Tier 3 SEND students were involved together on a work experience project, which has been nominated for the Cultural Contribution award sponsored by M&G Real Estate.

The project was a collaboration between the church and the students on both courses at Reading College.

The nominator said the Tier 3 students project managed the initial stages. The art students worked in groups to a client brief written by members of the church who asked the art students to update the background and details on Noah’s Ark and Holy Communion themed boards.   

For the final board, students were asked to do a map of the area with the two churches, two primary schools (St John’s CE and New Town), the college and an eagle included in the design.   

The students were asked to paint a rainbow on all three boards to tie them all together.

The murals were displayed in St John & St Stephen’s Church’s forecourt area, which is a public space in front of the church. 

The were unveiled in front of the Rev Claire Alcock, the church’s leadership team, members of the congregation and students from Reading College.

This project helped to bring the Noah’s Ark story, Holy Communion and the local area to life as well as providing opportunities for students to improve their employability and art skills.