Old School is a creative heritage project involving pupils and staff in the development of an archive and contemporary record of the current Shirebrook Academy (currently a new school is being built, due to open Easter 2013).

This is a pilot being developed with Shirebrook Academy and Stubbin Wood Special School. A small team of young people from each school worked with writer Pete Davis to collect oral histories from pupils, teaching and support staff past and present, and the wider community. In addition, we produced story postcards that were distributed amongst the community for people to write their own recollections of their school days.

The reminiscences formed the exhibition, which together with portrait photographs of the interviewees will be shown in the old and new schools and other public venues. All the information collected will be made available to both schools to use as a teaching resource to aid the curriculum.

The exhibition was shown at the Junction Arts Open Day and will be visiting Stubbin Wood School, Shirebrook Academy and Bolsover District Council Offices in Sherwood Lodge, Bolsover.
“Sections of the stories will also be translated to be shared with Stubbin Woods partner school in China and we are also investigating opportunities for a ‘Project Exchange’, delivery of the project in the Chinese School.” Jane Wells Junction Arts Old School project co-ordinator.

Seb Coe, Chair of the London Organising Committee of the Olympic Games and Paralympic Games said: “ The Inspire programme is ensuring the legacy of the 2012 Games starts now as projects like Old School are enabling people in the Bolsover District to make positive life changes.”
Junction Arts are currently exploring continued delivery of the Old School project with schools across the region.
Photo of exhibition at Junction Arts