Barking & Dagenham College Students ‘Make Art Not War’

Barking & Dagenham College hosted a creative arts event themed around the First World War on Wednesday.

The event was organised as part of a legacy programme for students from 14-18 NOW, the UK’s arts programme for the First World War centenary, named ‘Make Art Not War’.

The theme of the day was ‘What does peace mean to you?’ and college students and local school children took part.

Activities took place throughout the campus including: Displays of peace-themed student artwork which lined the corridors of the college; students put on performances for school children and their peers; ‘luggage tags’ trees were erected, where students wrote what peace means to them and hung them on trees around the College for others to read and reflect on.

Public services student Toni Clarke, 20 from Ilford helped with the luggage tag displays, Toni said: “Many young people don’t know much about the First World War so it’s been good that they can learn more about it today and also reflect on what peace means to them.”

Elmhurst Primary School year six students took part in WW1 themed activities within the College’s STEM Centre. One of the activities was called ‘Fly Away – Wings of War’ and involved them designing paper aeroplanes and having a flying competition.

Their teacher Sam Creighton commented:

“The children found the whole day both hugely fun and very valuable. I was very impressed by how the teachers at the STEM Centre we’re able to make complex ideas very understandable. I’m already thinking about how I can bring more children back in the future.”