A new collaborative artwork celebrating 300 years of Holy Trinity C of E Aided Primary School has been created by pupils in collaboration with The Maltings and artist Justine Miller.

As part of Holy Trinity’s year-long 300th anniversary celebrations, every pupil in the school has taken part in a creative programme exploring the school’s rich history, its place within the local community and what it means to be part of the school today.

Working with pupils across all year groups, artist Justine Miller led a series of participatory workshops encouraging creativity, collaboration and self-expression. Through discussion, drawing, storytelling and collective artmaking, children explored themes of heritage, belonging and the future of their school community.

The project has culminated in the creation of a large collaborative banner, designed to become a lasting legacy of the school’s 300-year history.

The banner has been designed around Holy Trinity’s core values of Inquisitive Thinkers, Challenge Seekers, Kind Hearts with every pupil contributing imagery and ideas inspired by these principles.

The template for the banner is based on the floor plan of the original school building, creating a visual connection between the school’s historic foundations and its present-day community. In this way, pupils have been able to engage with 300 years of history while contributing to a contemporary artwork that looks towards the school’s future.

Following the completion of the design phase, the banner moved into production and has been stitched by members of the local community, including people with past and present connections to Holy Trinity Primary School. This has extended the project beyond the classroom, creating opportunities for intergenerational participation and giving the wider school community an opportunity to help shape the final artwork.

Groups of pupils have also been invited to take part in the stitching process at The Maltings’ creative space at Hide Hill, giving them the chance to see how their ideas and designs have been transformed into the finished banner and contributed directly to its construction.

The completed banner has been installed in the school’s new hall, providing a permanent reminder of the anniversary and of the children who helped create it.

Nicholas Shaw, Headteacher at Holy Trinity Primary School, said: “Holy Trinity has greatly valued working with artist Justine Miller on our 300th anniversary art project. Justine led engaging creative sessions with every class, ensuring all children were involved in exploring this significant milestone. The pupils particularly enjoyed the hands-on nature of the sessions, relishing the opportunity to experiment with different techniques and create their own unique pieces of artwork - some of which may go on to form part of the final piece.”

“Through her work, the children were able to connect their learning about our 300-year history with life in the school today, while also reflecting on our shared vision of nurturing inquisitive thinkers, challenge seekers, and kind hearts.”

Helen Bain, Project Manager at The Maltings, said; “Following the work with the school, Justine has taken the project forward by inviting the wider local community to become involved in realising her design through newly developed skills to create the finished artwork. We are all very excited to see the final piece hung at the school and to celebrate this special collaboration.”

The project demonstrates The Maltings’ commitment to high-quality participatory arts practice, creating inclusive opportunities for children to engage with culture, heritage and creative learning while producing a lasting legacy for the school and its wider community.

The banner is a fitting legacy of Holy Trinity’s 300th anniversary: a piece of artwork created collectively by pupils, staff and the wider school community, connecting the school’s 300-year history with the children who are now part of its story.

October 2026; Photo Credits: Artist Justine Miller