School Crest Mural Created at St Mary & St Thomas CE Primary School

The transformation had an immediate impact on pupils and staff, with children excited to once again use the stage to perform dance routines, showcase their talents and enjoy creative play during lunch and break times.

The Head Teacher, staff team and pupils were over the moon with the finished artwork and the positive change it brought to the playground environment.

Staff said the mural perfectly captured the school’s values and identity:

“BELIEVE, ACHIEVE, SHINE — Believe in ourselves, each other and God; Achieve in all we do; Shine every day!”

As part of the Three Saints Academy Trust, the school wanted the space to feel positive, inspiring and welcoming for pupils using the playground each day.

Teachers and pupils said the mural now makes the school “smile every time they go outside” and that they “just can’t get over the transformation” from the old deteriorated wall into a vibrant and uplifting creative space.

The mural project was designed to be both hands-on and educational for participants. Members of the local community took part in creating the artwork alongside Kingsyze Graffiti and Powered by Hip Hop, with many participants learning spray painting and graffiti art skills for the very first time.

For many participants, this was their first experience using spray paint and contributing towards a large-scale public artwork.

Participants learned:

• Safe spray painting techniques
• Colour blending and layering
• Creative teamwork and planning
• Public art and mural design skills
• How creativity can positively transform shared spaces

Several participants commented that they never imagined they would help create artwork displayed permanently inside a school. They were delighted that they could contribute towards making the school environment brighter, safer and more joyful for children using the playground every day.

The project was funded through the LF Foundation Fund and administered by the Community Foundation for Merseyside.

The wider aim of the funding programme was to improve education, creativity and skills development through Hip Hop culture, creative arts and non-formal education.

Through graffiti art, Breaking, DJing and creative workshops, Powered by Hip Hop CIC uses Hip Hop culture as a positive tool to help young people and communities build confidence, communication skills, teamwork and creative expression in engaging and accessible ways.

Powered by Hip Hop CIC would also like to say a huge thank you to Mark Jennings, the Head Teacher and the wider school staff team for providing the opportunity to work together on the project.

As a school that works hard to support its pupils and wider community, it was fantastic to help improve a space that can now be enjoyed by children for years to come while giving participants valuable hands-on creative experience and the opportunity to develop new artistic skills.

Projects like this demonstrate how creative arts, community collaboration and non-formal education can work together to improve shared spaces while helping people develop confidence, pride and a stronger sense of ownership within their local environment.

Powered by Hip Hop CIC delivers graffiti art workshops, murals, youth engagement projects and creative community programmes across St Helens and the wider Merseyside area.