Student-led wall murals celebrating identity and inclusion

We are proud to have unveiled vibrant new murals at both Ormiston Latimer Academy (Freston Junction) and Ormiston Bridge Academy, created in collaboration with Birmingham-based illustrator and street artist Roots.

The projects were designed to celebrate student voice, inclusion and community identity, with students playing a central role in shaping the artwork from the very beginning.

At Ormiston Latimer Academy (Freston Junction), our specialist resource base supporting children with Special Educational Needs and/or Disabilities (SEND), students worked closely with Roots through a series of workshops and creative discussions to explore themes including individuality, diversity and belonging. Seven students took part in the planning and research stages, contributing ideas, drawings and themes that helped inspire the final design.

We are delighted that the finished mural reflects the unique identities, cultures and experiences of the students within the provision, while also bringing our core values to life in a vibrant and welcoming way. Students described the mural as “inclusive”, “creative” and representative of the school community around them. These projects form part of our ongoing commitment to enriching our school environments through creativity and ensuring all students feel represented, valued and inspired within their communities.

At Ormiston Bridge Academy, more than 20 students from across all phases of the school took part in a three-day creative workshop alongside Roots. Together, students helped plan the mural before using spray paints and layered colours to create the background artwork themselves.

The final mural celebrates themes of aspiration, resilience, entrepreneurship and belonging, while handprints from participating students and staff have been incorporated into the design to create a lasting symbol of ownership, pride and community spirit.

“We wanted the mural at Freston Junction to reflect the students who attend the provision and the community around them. The final artwork captures the individuality, diversity and aspirations of our young people in a way that feels vibrant, meaningful and welcoming. It has already had a hugely positive impact on the environment, and the pride students feel in their space.” – Grant Monaghan, Principal of Ormiston Latimer Academy.

Roots said: “These murals were all about creating something shaped by the students themselves. Every workshop, conversation and drawing helped influence the final outcome, so the finished pieces genuinely reflect the schools and communities they belong to. It was brilliant to see students so engaged in the process and excited to leave their mark in a lasting way.”