Last August Mrs Riley introduced Aspire Academy staff to the Sketchbook Circle and what a revelation it has been!

The concept is very simple: everybody in the group has a sketchbook and creates some artwork on the first page, it can be a drawing, painting, collage, words, anything at all. At the end of the month everybody then passes their book to the next person in the 'circle'; in the new book that is received they then create another piece of artwork, again in any format they desire. Eventually all the books rotate fully around the circle so everybody has created a piece of artwork in every book and each person ends up with their own book full of totally different pieces.

  

Mrs Riley said: "I have a number of sketchbook circles going on outside school and thought it would be a good way for me to get to know Aspire members of staff after being stuck inside due to the pandemic.

"I never fail to be amazed at the variety of styles and ideas that make it into these books, there are some real hidden talents amongst the Aspire staff!"

The sketchbooks have now been put on display in the Library for students and staff to have a look through and Mrs Riley has already begun organising next academic year's sketchbook circle for staff. She added: "I popped down earlier and was amazed to see how many students were interacting with the books and taking a genuine interest in what we have achieved. Lots of conversations being had and a chat with a few of the students revealed that there will be a student version being trialled next year. Very exciting indeed."

You can see all the artwork from the sketchbooks in our photo gallery by clicking here.