PUPILS from Downland Community School, based in the middle of Blandford Camp, will get the chance to take part in an arts project and enjoy an exhibition by favourite illustrator Quentin Blake, thanks to Poole’s Lighthouse arts centre,.

The project is part of an Arts Award initiative, which aims to help young people who may struggle to access arts and culture. The whole school, some 230 young people, will visit the arts centre over three days, from 20th to 22nd November.

The pupils will be working for an Arts Award qualification, finding inspiration in Quentin Blake: Illustrating Verse, the first ever exhibition dedicated to Quentin Blake’s illustrations for poetry, which is on in Poole until 6th January 2024.

In a statement the school said: “Downlands Community School is proud to serve its unique community situated as it is in the middle of Blandford Camp. Children from services families experience high mobility so we look for opportunities to celebrate what Dorset has to offer, so this trip to Lighthouse Poole is a great addition to our school calendar, especially as it is focussed on the brilliant illustrations of Quentin Blake.”

Charles Shenton, the Lighthouse creative engagement producer, says: “This is an opportunity for Lighthouse to extend its Arts Award remit and deliver arts-based activities to young people who would face barriers to accessing culture.”

The three-stage Arts Award project involves: viewing some art, researching the life and work of an artist and telling others what you have learned. After successfully completing the programme, the young people will each receive a certificated Arts Award qualification.

Pictured: Mr Magnolia by Quentin Blake © Quentin Blake