School pupils' artwork teaches motorists an important lesson

School pupils from St Bede's Catholic Primary School with (left to right) Jonathan Slee, the council's road safety team leader, Holly Sterling, author and illustrator, and Christine Cummings, school crossing patrol.

Youngsters from St Bede's Catholic Primary School, Sacriston, were joined by Sunderland-based author and illustrator Holly Sterling, for a series of workshops commissioned by our Road Safety Team.

Over the course of four sessions, children learnt the illustration skills needed to create a bright and colourful artwork to encourage drivers to observe the speed limit and be vigilant when driving around their school.

After working with our team to understand the principles of road safety, each pupil contributed an individual piece of artwork to the project. Holly then combined the drawings into one large panel, which was printed and installed outside the school.

Headteacher Samantha Clarke said: "Our pupils really enjoyed working with Holly and council staff to make their own artwork. They're excited and very proud to see the finished article, which includes iconic local landmarks such as the mining memorial, the clock tower and their school and church, as well as people from their local community, including their school crossing patrol."

Cllr Elizabeth Scott, our Cabinet member for economy and partnerships, said: "These illustration workshops are another great example of the innovative ways in which our Road Safety Team encourages children to become safe road users. By combining their new illustration skills with their road safety knowledge, pupils have created a fantastic mural, which encourages drivers to reduce their speed and look out for people crossing the road."