Year 6 Creative Writing

Examples of creative writing by pupils at Gateway School are currently on display at the National Gallery for thousands to see as part of the Take One Picture initiative - the gallery's flagship scheme for primary schools.

The work was created as part of last year’s initiative inviting children across the UK to respond to an 18th century painting, An Experiment on a Bird in the Air Pump, by Joseph Wright of Derby.

In Year 6's English lessons, led by their teacher, Mrs Wendy O’Hare, pupils responded to the painting by asking questions about the boy, known as the scientist’s apprentice, who can be seen on the far right side of the painting. The discussions inspired pupils to create diary extracts to tell his story.

Commenting on the learning experience, former Year 6 pupil, Sarah, said: “I really enjoyed learning about the boy in the painting…trying to piece together the history and using our imaginations to create a story of his life.”

View the banner image (shown above) to see one of the diary extracts.