A CLASSROOM charity that has helped countless children make the most of their school days is celebrating its 10th birthday.

The Art Room celebrated the milestone with former pupils, patrons and supporters gathering at Modern Art Oxford.

The reception gave those involved in the project a chance to reflect on 10 years of success in helping children to learn through art.

Founder and Director of The Art Room Juli Beattie said: “The past 10 years have been exciting and important.

“During that time, we have supported thousands of talented and creative young people, many of whom have had a difficult start in life.

“We have had some excellent results, but we have much more work to do. We want to support many more young people and expand the work we do.

“The anniversary event was an occasion to thank everyone who has supported us over the years – we couldn’t have done it without them.”

From just one room at Oxford School, now Oxford Spires Academy, in Glanville Road, East Oxford, the charity has expanded to five schools in Oxford, London and Nottingham, and counts Catherine Duchess of Cambridge as its Royal Patron. She visited the Oxford projects in February.

Last Wednesday’s event displayed work created by the students, aged from five to 16, who had been referred to the Art Room to help improve their confidence and ability to learn in mainstream classrooms.

A chair covered with a knitted cover made by Jackie Rose, who works at the Art Room, was raffled to raise funds.

Since it started in 2002, 10,000 children and young people have been referred to the Art Room which also works from Rose Hill Primary School and Orchard Meadow School in Blackbird Leys and operates a ‘pop-up’ project from Matthew Arnold School in North Hinksey.

  • For more information on the Art Room, click on the link.