TALENTED pupils will be showing off their art as part of a two-year project funded by the National Lottery.

St John’s Green Primary School, which has two sites in Colchester, is showcasing its ‘One Square Mile: Heritage on our Doorstep’ project at the Minories Art Gallery.

This exhibition presents the rich heritage of the one square mile of the school and celebrates the outcomes of this two-year project, which was possible due to £62,500 of funding by the National Lottery Heritage Fund.

The funding has meant the school has been able to preserve its 125-year archive for future generations.

Art - A cardboard city of Colchester's heritage sites, made by pupils and teachers with artist Nicola BurrellArt - A cardboard city of Colchester's heritage sites, made by pupils and teachers with artist Nicola Burrell (Image: Adrian Rushton)

This was supported by project historian Claire Driver, who developed a timeline for the exhibition and website with project partner the Essex Record Office digitising the collection, which will be held in their archives.

During the exhibition, former pupils will be able to add to and share their memories on the timeline.

Throughout the project, the school developed a series of after-school clubs, including historians, creative writers, illustrators and tour guides, which saw current and former pupils developing an archive of oral histories.

Proud - Pupils attending the exhibition were proud to see their work on displayProud - Pupils attending the exhibition were proud to see their work on display (Image: Adrian Rushton) Patrick Denney, from oral history club Colchester Recalled, trained a team of pupils and parent volunteers in the skills of interviewing, transcribing and editing.

He said: “The achievement of these young oral historians has been incredible."

Pupils learnt new skills including drawing and making 3-D models of Colchester landmarks with project artist Nicola Burrell.

Memories - Former pupils who were interviewed remembered the double desks with inkwells that you can see in this photographMemories - Former pupils who were interviewed remembered the double desks with inkwells that you can see in this photograph (Image: Colchester Museums)

Colchester Recalled, Colchester and Ipswich Museum Services, Colchester Archaeological Trust, Colchester Civic Society and Colchester Garrison, all helped pupils learn about the city’s 2,000-year history.

The project resources and history curriculum are available for other schools to use on the project website www.onesquaremilecolchester.co.uk.

The exhibition runs until October 6, and is open Thursday to Sunday from 10am to 4pm.