STUDENTS at Newent Community School have enjoyed the opportunity to develop their street art skills as part of the Bark initiative.

Bark, developed by Susan McCarthy at Gloucester and Forest Alternative Provision School and funded by Arts Council England and the Summerfield Trust, involves schools and youth groups across the Forest of Dean who have all selected students to work with a professional street art and mural specialists, Paintsmiths from Bristol.

It is a chance for students to make a bold statement about issues important to them, as well as developing new skills, self-esteem and teamwork.

Jack Dones from Paintsmiths and the Bark team from Gloucester and Forest Alternative Provision School worked with the students to develop skills and ideas, leading to nine large-scale artworks which will be exhibited at the Forest of Dean Sculpture Trail, Beechenhurst Lodge, throughout September.

Over the three one-day workshops, students learned how to freehand spray with professional-quality street art paints and how to design and cut multi-layered stencils.

Mr Dones also gave a really important talk, ‘Street-Art vs Vandalism’ emphasising the non-negotiable need for permission in all street art.

Ann Price of the school said: "We saw fantastic levels of engagement, collaboration and resilience from all students involved and we should be as proud of them as they already are of themselves."