On 9 June, 460 pupils from 7 primary schools in Newham, Greenwich and Westminster will come together with parents and teachers to celebrate the artistic works they have created over the past six months as part of Tate Britain’s VerbalEyes programme. The children will also receive a certificate to commemorate their achievements.

VerbalEyes: finding a voice through art, sponsored by Tate Lyle, is a programme that helps children to develop their art and literacy skills through the unique experience of engaging with original works of art. Throughout the academic year, workshops with artists and writers have taken place in schools and at the gallery. VerbalEyes culminates in the Family Day at Tate Britain, which brings families and schools together to celebrate the children’s achievements and enjoy a day of fun, creative activities in the gallery, supported by Tate Lyle employees.

Throughout the year, children explored concepts such as ‘similarity and difference’ (investigating questions such as “Who am I?” and “Where am I?”). Historical and social subjects were also covered including the symbolic meaning of flowers in Victorian narrative painting and in contemporary art, and the lives of the Tudor nobility from a modern-day perspective. A group of children from Grange Primary School worked on a poetry piece, The Big Hunt for the Little Voice, which will be performed on the day. Also on display will be The Legacy of the Voice 2007 by Scott Wilkie Primary School, a large scale sculpture that takes the viewer on a journey from the past, through the present, and into the future of the Docklands.

Ken Wilson, Community Relations Officer, Tate Lyle, said, “Education is the passport for children to a happier and more successful life. VerbalEyes helps children to develop key skills such as literacy and creativity, and it does this in a very fun and novel way. We have been involved with the project for many years and it has proved to be an invaluable part of the children’s curriculum. Teachers and parents alike are impressed by how much more confident and eager to learn the children have become as a result of taking part in the scheme.”

Alex Beard, Deputy Director, Tate Britain, added, "The VerbalEyes project, formerly known as ‘Ideas Factory’, plays a vital part in Tate Britain’s young people’s education programme and has created valuable links with local communities since 2001. Since the project’s inception, 29 different schools have participated, expanding from 3 to 7 schools taking part annually. This year we are pleased to have welcomed Westminster schools to the project for the first time along with schools from Newham and Greenwich. We are hugely grateful to Tate Lyle, whose sponsorship and committed support has been fundamental to the project’s success."

Pupils and their families will have the chance to see their work displayed throughout Tate Britain on the day and afterwards some works will remain on display at the gallery in the Clore Foyer until 24 June, and online at www.tate.org.uk/schoolsteachers from the end of July.