School encourages artists of the future thanks to Trent & Dove Community Grant

An eye-catching mural designed by Burton schoolchildren has been unveiled thanks to a community grant from affordable housing provider Trent & Dove.

As part of its commitment to improving the quality of life of people living and working in the communities where it provides homes, Trent & Dove donated £2,000 from its Community Grant Fund to Eton Park Junior School in Burton upon Trent.

The funding enabled the school to commission artist Tom Edwards to create a mural inspired by pupils’ ideas and centred around the school’s core values: Work hard, be kind and choose wisely.

The project was designed to build pupils’ confidence in art, introduce them to collage techniques and ensure every child contributed to the creative process. During workshops, pupils explored composition, layering, colour and symbolic imagery before sharing ideas that helped shape the final design.

A group of children then worked alongside Tom to paint the mural, adding colour, texture and detail to create a lasting piece of artwork for the school.

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.

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.”

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 said: “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.”