Northampton primary school pupils create large cross made out of clay tiles

Students at St James Cof E Primary School in Harlestone Road have created the cross thanks to a collaboration between two national charities; Northampton branch of the National Association of Decorative and Fine Arts Societies and The Churches Conservation Trust (CCT).

A group of pupils from years three to six recently visited St. Peter’s Church in the town centre with Emily Barnes, CCT’s Heritage Learning Officer, to make drawings and rubbings from the many artefacts held in the church.

The children then scribed them on to clay tiles during a workshop at the school run by local ceramicist Nita Nathwani. After firing, the tiles were fixed to a wooden plinth, now erected in the Reflection Garden, creating a large cross.

Carol Allen, a spokeswoman for the project, said: “It is the aim of all involved that this sculpture will be a delight and inspiration to all who use this garden in the years to come.”