We are proud to be the Associate Education Partner and Sponsor of The Big Hoot 2022 – a Wild in Art event brought to Ipswich by St Elizabeth Hospice.

The Big Hoot Trail will feature 40 individually designed ‘Big Hoots’ which will be on display in the biggest free art event in Ipswich between June – September 2022; we will host our very own Big Hoot outside the front of school. We have been paired with a local artist and the designing process has begun – we look forward to sharing more on this in the coming months!

St Elizabeth Hospice have called upon local nurseries, schools, colleges and community groups to join in on the fun too. By taking part in the Learning and Community Programme these groups are invited to fundraise for a blank Little Hoot sculpture – the canvas, that they can then decorate. The project celebrates Suffolk and promotes inclusion, well-being and creativity in children and young people all whilst raising funds for a very important cause.

On Monday 24 January we had the pleasure of opening the virtual Little Hoot Inspiration Evening with a welcome from Headmaster, Nicholas Weaver. Mr Weaver explained why it’s important for our pupils to understand their contribution to community through an shared Ipswich project, and how much we – as a school – value being part of the wider community.

For those taking part in the programme, the purpose of the event was to offer inspirational ideas on some of the best ways to decorate the sculptures with a presentation from Annie Laughrin, Art and Education Manager at Wild in Art.

Art teacher Revd. Holly Crompton-Battersby gave an insight into the school’s previous experience with the Elmer Trail in 2019, and offered some helpful tips for going about decorating the sculptures, and how to make the most of pupil participation.

Ipswich Prep School have joined the Learning and Community Programme and we are really looking forward to seeing the design that Miss Banham and the pupils come up with.