Free creative and geography opportunity for KS2 pupils and teachers - River of Hope

About the project

River of Hope is an art and geography-based project designed to inspire through creativity while meeting National Curriculum objectives in Geography at KS2.

It has local and international ‘water’ and ‘river’ themes and involves a whole year group of pupils – you can decide which year group it applies to best in your school.

What we provide

The project seeks to benefit teachers by giving skills and confidence to apply art-based learning to their practice. We ask schools to commit to the project for two years with the same teachers in order to provide maximum benefit and legacy.We provide River of Hope schools with:

• A host of online resources which help link the project to multiple curriculum areas for example, English, Art, Music and Science as well as Geography. The resources include:
• Educational films on environmental and climate change themes
• Inspirational resources which link to the KS2 curriculum in Geography and many other curriculum areas
• Films which help to bring different art forms into the classroom: Visual Arts, Music and Spoken Word, including a step-by-step guide to producing a digital artwork
• Opportunity to take part in a hands-on river visit with a local environmental organization.
• Teacher CPD session in project application and art techniques. The session will link to the KS2 curriculum and be based around Water and Rivers. It will be led by a professional artist who will guide teachers through new art techniques which can be used to create a wonderful River of Hope school display.
• In-school artist led workshops
• Teacher-to-teacher networking opportunities
• Term-end exhibitions of the work created by pupils
• Opportunity for digital artwork to be shown at city-wide event and in an online gallery
• Independent evaluation
• Advice and guidance throughout involvement in the project.

What we ask of schools

• To adopt River of Hope as a half term scheme of work.
• To nominate a year group to be involved in the project
• To commit to the project for two academic years 2025/26 & 2026/27 with the same teachers involved.

Interested?

We have a limited number of places for schools. If you would like to take part please get in touch by Friday 28 March 2025

Further information

See flyer under downloads.

Thames Festival Trust | River of Hope | Thames Festival Trust

If you have any questions please contact:
Kate Forde, head of education and engagement
Email: k.forde@thamesfestival.org