Royal Sutton School Remembrance project: Talented students from the Royal Sutton School marked this year’s Festival of Remembrance by creating colourful posters highlighting the sacrifice of World War Two’s ‘Forgotten Army’.
Students at the Sutton Coldfield School, which is part of the respected Arthur Terry Learning Partnership, took part in the collaboration with the National Memorial Arboretum, as part of the UK-wide Guiding Lights Project.
During the Second World War, the British Indian Army became the largest volunteer force in history, with around 2.5 million Indians enlisting.
The recruits came from across the Indian subcontinent, which at the time included present day India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, and Burma (Myanmar). Major contingents were Sikhs, Muslims, Hindus, Gurkhas and other communities from Punjab, Bengal, the North-West Frontier, and Nepal.
Indian Soldiers served in almost every major theatre of the war including North Africa, The Middle East, Italy, France and Burma. Yet in history, they aren’t remembered – becoming known as the ‘Forgotten Army’.
Royal Sutton School Remembrance project teaches students about ‘Forgotten Army’
The aim of the Guiding Lights art project was to encourage the students to consider and reflect upon the army’s place in history and create work around the theme of unity.
They got expert help from artist Mahtab Hussain, who came into school to run a workshop with all of Year 9 which introduced the project, and set students the challenge of designing a poster to honour Forgotten Army.
Students spent the day working with Mahtab and supporting artist Benny Semp, developing ideas for a poster around the theme of remembrance, unity, solidarity, sacrifice, memory, identity, and pride.
Students then spent lessons learning more about Mahtab Hussain as an artist, learning about his Bronze sculpture of soldiers of multi faiths, which he hopes will become a national monument in London.
They also reflected on what they had learnt, spending a number of weeks creating their own A3 posters, which will become part of an exhibition at The National Memorial Arboretum.
Benny Semp also came into school for two days of workshops to support the development of the student’s poster designs.
As a ‘thank you’ for taking part in the project, students can now claim a free ticket to the Illuminated Arboretum annual event with accompanying guests able to also get discounted tickets too.
Emma Balnaves, Head of Creative Arts at The Royal Sutton School, said: “This project has given our students the opportunity to explore the theme of remembrance and look at it from a different perspective, remembering the stories of those who have been forgotten in history.
“They have also gained a wider understanding of what art is and how it can be used to communicate ideas, also gaining a broader understanding of what an artist does.”
Headteacher Nicola Gould said: “We’re so proud of how our students responded to this challenge. They have created some very impressive posters that help tell the story of the Forgotten Army.
“It’s also a real honour that their work will go on display at the National Memorial Arboretum.”
Royal Sutton School Remembrance project
