Anna Marie Milton came to visit our school in June 2007 in order to create a large 3D structure that represented a tree. After much preparation in school, which included making the basic structure, following Anna Marie’s detailed instructions, the day came.

36 excited Year 2 children gathered in the art room and, with the help of a dedicated team of staff, the Tree of Knowledge was created.

From the branches of the tree hang ribbons that hold pegged leaf shapes, which in turn hold topical information related to whatever subject the teacher wishes to pursue.

The children unpeg the leaves when seeking knowledge.

Year 2 worked as a team and individually and learned a number of new skills. They wove, made textile leaves, plaited, did leaf rubbings, used papier-mache on a large scale to make the highly textured trunk and did some sewing.

Comments from the children were very positive and one young man summed up the day’s art experience as ‘Well cool!’

The tree can be used by any year group and will also provide a special place to sit and talk or read under.

Mrs S. Edwards Head of Art.