SCHOOL trips may be on hold but this hasn’t stopped staff at Oasis Academy Longmeadow Primary teachers from bringing the world of art and culture to their students.

On Thursday, February 11, every student took part in a day dedicated to learning about art, including virtual visits to the Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam and the Picasso Museum in Barcelona.

Specially-designed art packs were sent to students studying at home to work through during their live lessons with teachers, who taught them about the world’s most renowned artists.

Children also got the opportunity to create portraits of their friends and family, which will be available for families to view in an online art exhibition.

Oasis Academy Longmeadow principal, Helen Adams, said: “It has been wonderful to see all of the children enjoying being so creative and proud of their achievements.

“It is incredibly important that they not only take part in doing art but also experience visiting inspirational places like galleries and museums.

“Our teachers have worked hard to find ways to bring art and culture into our school so our students don’t miss out on this aspect of learning, despite the challenges lockdown presents.”

Year 4 pupil Gosia said: “The good thing about painting your family is they all look different….so no pictures will be the same.”

Another Year 4 pupil Zain said: “It was nice to spend time painting a picture of my sister, because I have been missing her in the lockdown.”

The academy’s celebration of art and culture continued on Friday with every child taking a virtual trip to watch a critically-acclaimed National Theatre production of Peter Pan.

To bring the theatre experience to life, families were given choc-ices, or popcorn, along with their tickets.