Jersey school children to explore climate change through art

A new project by ArtHouse Jersey will encourage local school children to explore climate change through art and design.

The 'Gem of the Sea' was the result of a review instigated by the COP26 'Education Pledge' which found young people in Jersey want to understand how climate change will impact the future of their island home.

ArtHouse Jersey will provide digital resources for schools across the island to deliver art lessons exploring various themes, including:

• The shoreline of Jersey & Climate Change

• Children's Rights

• Liberty & Freedom

• Fishing & Farming

• Safety at Sea

• Emotional Health & Wellbeing

Six digital 'episodes' will be made available free of charge to Jersey teachers, which aim to help children explore these global problems from a local perspective.

They will also offer opportunities to reinforce other curriculum areas such as oracy, science, geography, and PSHE.

The title of the project is inspired by lyrics from Jersey's patriotic song 'Beautiful Jersey', and a special episode will also be released to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the Liberation.

Kate Sugden, curriculum advisor to the project, says it will give children a chance to respond to the potential challenges their future holds in a creative way.

She says: "Driven by the voices of our children and young people across the education sector, this initiative modernises the art and design curriculum to reflect the local and global context, fostering a generation that is prepared to lead with imagination, resilience, and a deep sense of community."

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