A FORMER pupil returned to Little Sutton C of E Primary School in Ellesmere Port recently to create a mural that captures the essence of its small, church school status.

Willow Mermier, who left Little Sutton Primary School in 2017 and is now a student at The Whitby High School studying art, painted a mural for a new Reflection Room created at the school.

The mural features aspects of school life that are important at Little Sutton, such as worship, with an overriding vision of peace and tranquility.

Extra features were also added into the mural by Willow at the request of pupils at the school, with The Very Hungry Caterpillar finding a home within the branches of the tree.

Executive principal Zoe Carciero joined Little Sutton Primary School in January 2020.

Teacher Jane Edwards said: “Over the past five months, our wonderful little school has been undergoing a bit of a makeover.

"Corridors, cupboards and rooms have all been cleared and sorted and the walls have had a fresh lick of paint, creating a blank canvas on which to display our children’s hopes, ambitions and dreams.

"As a church school, we also decided to create a Reflection Room to give our children a haven to reflect within our school environment.

“It was particularly fitting for our new Reflection Room to have a makeover from Willow, who has a special connection with our school, and whose brother is still at school with us.

"Throughout her time at Little Sutton, Willow was always a creative soul who loved to explore her imagination through arts, crafts and writing.

"Willow would get lost in a drawing and amaze us with her talents. When Willow offered to come to our school and paint murals to enrich our school environment, we jumped at the chance.

“Whilst Willow painted, pupils at our school who are still attending our key worker provision have marvelled as the picture came to life.

"The children who have seen the mural are so happy with the finished picture and we can’t help but smile when we see the character captured in the face of the dove.”

“We want to say a big thank you to Willow for giving up her time to come and help enrich our learning environment and we look forward to seeing what Willow has in store for our new music room, which will be a GCSE art project for Willow too.”

Willow too is keen to get started on transforming yet other area of the Berwick Road school, saying: “It was so nice to come back to Little Sutton Primary School. It’s funny how small everything feels when you come back to your old school.

"I’m looking forward to getting started on my next project for the school.”