New mural brings reading to life for Blisthorpe pupils

Artist Jo Bell has painted a magical mural at Blisthorpe Flying High Academy.
Pupils can meet Peter Rabbit on their way to lessons. Photo: Louise BrimblePupils can meet Peter Rabbit on their way to lessons. Photo: Louise Brimble
Pupils can meet Peter Rabbit on their way to lessons. Photo: Louise Brimble

The mural features favourite characters like the BFG, the Gruffalo and Peter Rabbit and promotes children’s imaginations .

Jo said: “ Children can literally walk through stories and fairy tales.”

“I love seeing the children’s reactions to my work.

The Funnybones skeletons are among the characters on the mural. Photo: Louise BrimbleThe Funnybones skeletons are among the characters on the mural. Photo: Louise Brimble
The Funnybones skeletons are among the characters on the mural. Photo: Louise Brimble
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“It’s nice to be able to take my passion in to schools in this way.

“I love it, and the children are wonderful because they have fantastic imaginations and I take a lot of inspiration from their ideas, things they would like to see.

“They are often the inspiration for parts of the pictures.

“It means a lot to the children to know they have played a role in its creation.”

The BFG is another familiar face on the mural. Photo: Louise BrimbleThe BFG is another familiar face on the mural. Photo: Louise Brimble
The BFG is another familiar face on the mural. Photo: Louise Brimble

Jo is now working on a new mural at the school which also has reading as its theme.

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The new paintings will be fantasy based depicting pixies reading to dragons and fairies reading to woodland animals.

Jo continued: “I put a lot of hours into it but it’s not like coming to work, I just love it.

“As a former teacher of 13 years, I can put my passion for education and children’s learning into my artwork.

“Wall murals in school shouldn’t just be a wall decoration, they need to have a purpose.”

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Anne Ingle, head teacher at the school, added: “We concentrate a lot of effort into developing literacy skills in children because it has a positive impact on all of their lessons.

“The murals help all age groups to use their imagination and appreciate the wonders of good stories and the joy that they can bring.

“Quite apart from creating the most wonderful atmosphere and talking point for both the children and staff to enjoy, the murals will play a further role in our quest to instil a lifelong love of reading in our children.”