PUPILS from two Oxfordshire schools shared teachers to create a collaborative art piece.

Learners from Oxford special school The Iffley Academy, and Abingdon private school St Helen and St Katharine, worked together on several projects culminating in a colourful display.

Teachers from both schools each led art workshops at the other, and pupils united to view their work at a joint exhibition.

Tom Procter-Legg, head of The Iffley Academy, said: "This was a fantastic opportunity for students to access resources and individuals that are new to them.

"Many of the benefits of this partnership with St Helen’s are about expanding the circle of trusted adults and introducing children with special educational needs and disabilities to wider social scenarios."

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The collaboration was part of the Artsmark scheme, which fosters school improvement through engagement in the arts.

Both schools shared workshops and teacher development, and their work was displayed at a joint exhibition at St Helen's at the end of April.

The project included a series of workshops delivered by printmaker Janet Lueck, in which students explored texture, line, tone and layering.

St Helen’s ceramics teacher Ben Drew also led a workshop at The Iffley Academy on outdoor firing techniques.

His colleague Jane McDonald, head of art at St Helen’s, said: "Working with artists and designers is an important part of students’ experience.

"Demonstrations, workshops, visits to exhibitions in art galleries and museums bring the world beyond the classroom into the art room."