Playground transformed into rainbow of colour by students

Pupils at a school which has stayed open throughout lockdown have turned their playground into a rainbow of colour inspired by graffiti artist Keith Haring.

Staff and every Year 3-6 child transformed Oasis Academy Shirley Park Primary, in Shirley Road, Croydon, with bright colours and a quote reading: “Life isn’t about waiting for the storm to pass. It’s about learning how to dance in the rain.”

Sarah Kee, teacher at Oasis Academy Shirley Park Primary, said: “Painting the walls of the school has been an amazing way for the staff and the
children at Shirley Park to build a sense of ownership, community and pride within our school and for the children, especially the Year 6s who have been at school, to leave behind a legacy which marks and celebrates life in school during these strange times of Covid-19.

“The murals were inspired by Keith Haring’s work in community centres in New York, such as his Boys’ Club Mural (1987) which was painted on the wall of a community centre intended as a space where local boys could congregate and partake in recreational activities.

“As a school, we were inspired by the message of his work and it fits in perfectly with our Oasis habits and ethos of family and community.”

Students learned all about Keith Haring and his work as part of their Picture of the Month work.

Pictured top: Staff and students from Oasis Academy Shirley Park Primary with the artwork