“Moor to Sea” at Harbertonford Primary School as Playground Mural Unveiled

Schoolchildren and a local artist have completed a mural thanks to Harberton Parish Council and PTFA.

Pupils and staff were delighted to return to Harbertonford Primary School, part of the Link Academy Trust, this term to see that the playground mural, which was underway before the summer holidays, had been completed.

Gavin Middlewood with some of the children 

It includes a variety of scenery from patchwork fields to leaping porpoises, highlighting British wildlife and local plant life as well as demonstrating how trees change through the seasons. There are also some recognisable landmarks such as Totnes castle, the East Gate Arch on the high street in Totnes, Start Point and the tors of Dartmoor.

The mural was designed by artist Gavin Middlewood and he painted it with the assistance of wildlife artist Aziz Khan. Both artists live in the village of Habertonford and Gavin Middlewood has held exhibitions in Dartmouth, Wellington and Totnes. 

Children from Harbertonford Primary School helping with the mural 

Gavin Middlewood took care to include the schoolchildren in the creation of the mural. He visited them to talk to them about their ideas for the project and some of them helped to apply the base coat of paint.  

Later on pupils added and labelled their handprints to create leaves for a tree and space has been left for new joiners to add theirs.  They also added hundreds of wild flowers, pebbles on the beach and stars in the night sky.

Children from Harbertonford Primary School helping with the mural 

The mural was funded by a grant from Harberton Parish Council’s Benefit Fund. The fund is used to support charitable, educational, environmental and/or amenity purposes within the parish of Harberton. It was also partially funded by the school’s PTFA, whose aim is to promote a strong bond between the school, families, and the wider community and of course to fundraise.

The art and design curriculum at Harbertonford Primary School aims to equip children with the knowledge and skills to be able to experiment and create their own works of art. Pupils learn about drawing, painting and a range of sculptural techniques as tools for artistic development, adopting a reflective approach to art that encourages them to critique their own work and grow as artists.

The mural 

Every child is equipped with everything they need to express their own thoughts, feelings and imagination in their own work; they are made aware of the benefits of art on well-being and value the purpose of art as a language to reflect mood, culture and social situations. 

Mr Jack Pemberton, Headteacher at Harbertonford Primary School said: “Everyone at Harbertonford Primary School is absolutely thrilled with the finished mural. Not only is it something beautiful at the heart of the playground, but it has also been designed to be thought provoking and to provide an interactive background for outdoor activities.

“I want to say a huge thank you to Mr Middlewood, the PTFA and Harberton Parish Council for making this possible. It truly goes to show what the school can achieve when it is supported by our families and the local community.

"I warmly welcome any visitors to the school who might be interested in joining us or those just wish to see our new mural in our wonderful school environment."

The mural 

Mr Gavin Middlewood said: "We are really proud of the mural and delighted with all of the positive feedback that we have received; not only upon completion but when we were on our knees in the playground in the summer term! 

“We are particularly excited not only that this piece manages to incorporate all of the children's suggestions but that it can continue to grow over the years with the input of future cohorts as they join the school."