It's the regeneration game

27 August 2010

Helen Marshall with pupils

The story of Stratford's transformation ahead of the Olympic Games has been recorded and put on show by pupils from two Newham schools.

Working with visual artist Helen Marshall, the pupils from Colgrave Primary School in Stratford and Stratford School in Forest Gate have been looking at what the regeneration means to them.

They also thought about how it will change their lives and those of their families as part of the project supported by Westfield Stratford City.

The youngsters did this through a series of arts-based programmes ranging from archaeological digs to photography projects to learn about the borough.

Using photos, drawings, sounds, text and video to represent Stratford's past, present and future, the children tracked the changes to their immediate environment with the Westfield Stratford City development, which is due to open in September, 2011.

Colgrave pupil Bayli Spencer-Adams, nine, said: "I have enjoyed every part of it because it has been fun to experience and I have learned more about Stratford than I have ever learned before. I love the fact they are doing a big shopping centre in Stratford because it's amazing and because there will be lots of people around Stratford."

Classmate Asma Khapedi, also nine, said: "I love the fact we are involved in the project because it will help me to live my dream of being an artist when I am older. I have learned a lot of stuff about how Stratford was in the past."

The pupils' efforts have been transformed into an exciting life-sized multi-media exhibition in which visitors can explore the regeneration in fun and accessible ways.

It will be at the East Gallery at 29-35 West Ham Lane until September 3.