How the picture began

Burrington C. E. V. A. Primary School

The teacher at Burrington C. E. V. A. Primary School, Devon, set Key Stage 2 pupils (8-11 years) the task of making and filling a box entitled 'How the picture began'.

The finished boxes contain a collection of objects that the artist would have needed to study, painted sketches, historical information and creative literacy work.

As there are fewer than 40 children in the whole school all pupils aged between 8 and 11 years old are taught in the same class. The Take One Picture approach helps to differentiate learning across a variety of age groups because each pupil can access the image at a level that suits their ability.

One pupil produced the following literacy work:

'He took the wings from the snow-white owl and he placed it on the young child's back.

He took the seaweed from the deepest part of the ocean and attached it to the beautiful woman's hair.

He stole the dark blue from the depths of the ocean and made the woman's amazing dress.

He took the whiteness from the angels to make the pearls in her hands.

By snatching the greyness from the smoke of a forest fire he spread the colour all over the sky.

He finally made the picture and he was proud of it.'

© Burrington C.E.V.A. Primary School. Photo: The National Gallery, London.