AN arts student plans to make parents take note as he celebrates his school’s regeneration with a massive mural made from Post-it notes.
Year 10 pupil Joe Tinkler will spend four days creating a portrait on the walls of Darlington School of Mathematics and Science from 1,500 coloured notelets.
The 14-year-old, who secured a Grade B in GCSE art in Year 9, has spent weeks producing a pixellated protrait on a computer which will be reproduced on the wall 10ft square.
Comprising 33 rows, he has calculated that he has just 33 minutes per row to complete the art installation in time for the annual open day for parents and prospective pupils on Thursday (Sept 19) at 6.30pm.
This equates to one minute per Post-it which he will stick on the wall with Bluetac with the help of two other students.
“The pressure is going to be on but I think we will be ok,” said Joe, who is studying GCSE fine art this year and plans to read the subject at university.
“I love the big art installations and would really like to stage an exhibition one day. I am really looking forward to seeing the reaction the portrait receives from all the visitors.”
Head teacher Calvin Kipling said: “Joe has worked incredibly hard on this piece of artwork and we are all looking forward to seeing it in place. His passion for art is infectious and he is a fine example of just how committed our students are to their studies at DSMS.”
Visitors will get the chance to see the competely regenerated academy when it opens its doors to Year 6 pupils and their families from around Darlington.
Since 2010, when it came under new management, the self-governing academy has seen a radical overhaul of facilities, curriculum and culture leading to record results and a reputation as one of the most improved schools in the country. As a result, this year’s intake of Year 7 students totalled almost 100.
Over the summer contractors fitted new roofs, constructed a large car park and drop-off area and worked on a state of the art sports hall, which is due for completion in October, bringing the renovation total to more than £3.5m.
Students will be at the heart of the open evening showing off their new school and talking to prospective pupils about life at DSMS.
Mr Kipling added: “We have an open door policy at the school and are always delighted to show people round. But the open evening is our chance to really show off and to get the message over to younger students that there is no better place to study than here.”
