Cymmer Primary School: Outdoor Arts & Education Project – Phase 2

Over the past two years, Tanio has had the joy of collaborating with Cymmer Primary School in Porth on two vibrant outdoor arts and education projects. Thanks to funding from Codi Group (formally Linc Cymru and Pobl Group), the school grounds have been transformed into creative, nature inspired spaces that spark imagination, build confidence and nurture curiosity.

A Growing Creative Partnership

Our first project brought visual artist Louise Shenstone and willow artist Nancy Evans into the school to introduce pupils in Years 1 and 2 to willow sculpture and mural making. Together, they helped the children transform their outdoor space into a colourful, nature inspired environment full of imagination and storytelling.

Building on that success, Phase 2 expanded the creative journey even further, exploring how movement, music, nature and visual arts can blend seamlessly into both learning and play.

Tanio Programme Managers Sharly Lewis and Tom Stupple, alongside visual artist Beth Dowsett, curated a rich programme of workshops designed to inspire creativity and support wellbeing. Their aim was simple: to help children experience the arts not as separate subjects, but as joyful, interconnected ways of understanding the world.

Sharly says, “The energy and creativity the children brought to every session was extraordinary. Seeing them experiment, collaborate and express themselves so freely has been a real highlight. Bringing this level of enrichment into the school has been a joy, and I hope it sparks a lifelong love of the arts”

Music, Movement & Nature in Harmony

Tom and Beth, both professional musicians and members of the band 14 Wolves, introduced pupils to a wide range of instruments, from African djembes and balafons to guitars, windchimes and boom whackers. Through rhythm, song, drama, and dance, the children explored sound in playful and expressive ways.

One pupil summed it up perfectly: “The instruments were so much fun! I liked the drums the most, and when Tom plays guitar and Beth sings, it feels like a real concert.”

Meanwhile, Sharly, a Forest Arts Leader, guided pupils in creating nature inspired windchimes and wood cookie artworks for the children to take home, encouraging them to see natural materials as tools for creativity.

A child proudly shared, “I loved making my windchime. I can’t wait to hang it up in my bedroom!”

CoDesigning a Magical Outdoor Space

Throughout the workshops, facilitators gathered the children’s ideas about how they wanted their outdoor space to look, feel, and be used. Their voices, along with the beautiful wood slice artworks they created with Beth, have directly shaped the design of a brand new musical tree installation. This sensory, interactive structure, developed in partnership with a professional musical nature play company, ‘Made From Scratch’ @mfsplay, is a true codesigned feature. It will offer years of creative exploration, supporting learning, wellbeing, and imaginative play for future pupils as well as those who helped dream it into being. The children’s enthusiasm has been at the heart of every step. 

As one group put it simply: “Thank you! Please come back again, we loved it!”

Looking Ahead

Tanio is proud to continue this creative journey with Cymmer Primary, Codi Group.and Llewelyn Jones from ‘Made From Scratch’. Together, we’re shaping outdoor spaces where children feel empowered, expressive and deeply connected to nature. The new musical tree installation is scheduled for May/June 2026, and we look forward to marking its arrival with a special celebration event at the school.

Deputy Headteacher Geraint Leach reflected on the project’s impact, celebrating the joy, confidence, and creativity it has brought to the school community.

He says “working with Tanio has been a fantastic experience for our pupils, the quality of the artwork and the music sessions the children have produced has been absolutely amazing, and they have loved the opportunities that have been provided for them. The end product for our yard, professionally built, will be a real asset for our pupils to develop their knowledge of music and musical instruments. It has been a tremendous experience for everyone involved.”