Shiels’ Culture Ambassadors

2025

North Shields schools had the opportunity to commemorate the NS800 through a series of artist in residences.

Image by TyneSight Photography

Shiels’ Ambassador was schools residency programme for North Shields Schools.

To mark North Shields’ 800th anniversary, we launched an exciting series of artist residencies that connected local creatives with schools across the community. Together, they explored identity, heritage, and the evolving spirit of North Shields.

Each school will hosted an artist who lead three hands-on workshops, giving students the opportunity to reflect on the past, celebrate the present, and imagine the future. Through the theme ‘Imagine Your Future – Celebrating the Present and Future of North Shields’, young people developed their own artistic responses inspired by their surroundings and hopes for the future.

These residencies ran throughout the summer 2025 term, with artworks proudly displayed within each school and then brought together for a shared exhibition in November 2025.

It’s was celebration of creativity, community, and what it means to belong—past, present, and future.

From Application to Artistic Collaboration: How the Residencies Came to Life

In March 2025, we invited schools across North Shields to apply for a unique opportunity—an artist residency celebrating the town’s 800th anniversary. We were thrilled by the response, with 13 schools applying and 5 chosen to take part in the programme.

Once selected, each school connected with our project coordinator for a creative planning session. These conversations were all about getting to know the students: their passions, preferred artforms, year group dynamics, what they knew about the town’s heritage, and the kinds of artistic outcomes they hoped to explore.

Armed with this insight, we carefully matched each school with a local artist ready to inspire, collaborate, and spark creativity in the classroom. And from there – the making began!

Collingwood Primary School

Collingwood Primary School chose their Year 6 pupils to take part in a special artist residency, teaming up with local creative Laura Marley to delve into the meaning of home, heritage, and hope for the future.

Across three vibrant sessions, students explored what it means to live in North Shields – reflecting on its history, celebrating what they love about the town, and imagining the future they’d like to see. The workshops encouraged ambitious thinking, personal storytelling, and pride in their local identity.

Using clay as their medium, each student crafted a unique tile representing their perspective and vision. These tiles came together in a collaborative installation, created with other local schools, and showcased in November 2025 as part of the town’s 800th anniversary celebrations.

“I liked how we were using different methods. I liked how we were looking at things we saw in North Shields.”

Jamie, Pupil

“I loved doing the clay! It’s fun to play with and I like how you can make anything with it.”

Hollie, Pupil

“A child who previously disliked art, was enthralled and interacted well with the project. It has been an absolute joy and pleasure to take part in the project. “

Collingwood Primary School

Christchurch C of E Primary School

Christchurch C of E teamed up with local musician Calum Howard to dream big, crafting a song inspired by what North Shields could look like 200 years from now.

Across three imaginative sessions, pupils explored the power of sound and storytelling through music. They experimented with styles, played music games, and got hands-on with digital tech to layer their backing tracks. From crafting melodies and developing chords to writing lyrics that capture their visions of the future, every part of the process was driven by creativity and collaboration.

Vocals were recorded, beats were built, and the final track is now being post-produced. Their music was debuted live at our celebration event.

“It was incredible to see the children’s ideas become a real song. Calum was amazing at encouraging the children and getting everyone to participate in sharing ideas. The children can’t wait to hear the final song. They are so excited that it is going to be out in the real world for people to hear and for it to be part of an important celebration. We have all learnt what it takes to make a song.”

Laura Mcintosh, Christchurch C of E teacher

“I loved using the technology to overlap what we had thought of.”

Year 4 pupil

Spring Gardens Primary School

Spring Gardens Primary School teamed up with artist Laura Marley for a hands-on adventure in creativity. Across three exciting sessions, 51 imaginative Year 2 pupils became urban designers of the future—crafting a cardboard town inspired by their lives in North Shields.

The young creators explored what makes their town what it is: school, parks, transport, dance clubs, football, public art, and even their own gardens. They mapped out places they know and love, then let their imaginations soar—asking bold questions like “What could North Shields look like in the future?”

Armed with cardboard, tape, and enthusiasm, the pupils junk-modelled buildings of today and their vision for tomorrow. From familiar landmarks to fantastical new ideas, their 3D map captured the dreams for their community.
The final town of the future—created in cardboard and full of heart—was displayed alongside other school creations during North Shields’ 800th anniversary celebrations.

“Staff members really enjoyed being able to get involved with the children and help them to explore their ideas. It was a very practical morning and everyone teamed up to support each other. It was an engaged, enthusiastic and creative opportunity that will stick with the children for life – huge thanks to Laura for facilitating and nurturing such a safe space.”

Spring Gardens Teaching staff

“It was brilliant. We used the cardboard to do some building.”

Year 2 pupil

St Thomas More Catholic High School

Students from Years 9, 10 and 12 at St Thomas More moved to a powerful beat of creativity—partnering with dancer and choreographer Anthony Lo-Guidice for a unique artistic residency.

Together, they explored the identity of North Shields through contemporary dance, unpacking themes of history, community and future possibility. In a series of workshops, students were challenged to think beyond steps—experimenting with movement, generating ideas, and crafting short choreographic phrases that reflect their personal and collective experiences.

Those moments of creativity were woven into a final piece that captures the town’s story with physical expression and flair. The result? A dynamic dance performance that will took centre stage at our celebration event in November.

“I really enjoyed the NS800 sessions and loved being able to work with a professional artist. I learnt lots about how choreography is put together and am looking forward to performing in November”

Phoebe (Year 10 Performing Arts student)

“Working with Anthony was great fun. At the start it was very challenging but I have grown a lot from the experience”

Hannah (Year 11 Performing Arts student)

“It was excellent to be able to watch a piece of dance work be created from start to finish.The workshops gave me new ideas for choreography and the facilitation of dance.”

Hazel Sinclair, ST Thomas More teacher

Percy Main Primary School

Percy Main Primary School joined forces with artist Laura Marley to help complete a collaborative clay tile installation—adding their own vision of North Shields to the mix.

Starting with a giant geographical map, pupils explored the town’s infrastructure—from schools and shops to buses, parks, and public spaces. They asked bold questions about what’s available now and imagined what could be in the future.

Inspired by their discoveries, each student designed and sculpted a unique clay tile that represents their perspective on place, possibility, and community pride. These creative pieces came together with tiles from other schools to form a shared installation celebrating North Shields’ 800th anniversary.