Students join volunteers to brighten up Archbishop Tenison’s School for the new year

Normally pupils daubing their playground with paint at the weekend would be a sign of trouble.

But students worked alongside local volunteers to transform a school playground on Saturday.

Everyone involved gave up their Saturday, put on their overalls, and began painting in a variety of different colours at Archbishop Tenison’s School in Kennington.

The artwork in the playground, designed by two of its students, Princess and Jemima, is split into three parts, and connects in a triangular shape, referring to the fact that the school is in the Oval Triangle.

The three designs include a focus on the importance of equality in the world, a game of star jumps and squats, and the love of basketball amongst its students.

One student said they had enjoyed the day because they “really loved getting to know the volunteers from the local community”, with another noting that “it was great to see my designs being turned into artwork in the playground”.

Volunteer Annie, from Tactical Urbanistas, said she had loved the day of painting with students because, as a local resident, she was keen to “get more involved in the local community and its schools”.

She added: “Our volunteer group are interested in activating spaces by using colour. It was so great to get the children involved in designing the shapes and imagery.”

Pictured top: Students and volunteers in the playground at Archbishop Tenison’s School in Oval