Working to child-inspired designs, apprentices from PM Training have completed an impressive series of sculptures representing the rail system, collieries and miners who once provided the backbone of the North Staffordshire economy.

The exciting project at Crackley School is the first of four to be funded by the Realise Foundation, a unique regeneration charity which was recently launched by the Aspire Group to help improve the quality of life of local people and the places where they live and work.

The artworks have been made and installed on the school grounds by apprentices from PM Training.

The project to install 10 pieces of art at the school is part of Aspire’s work to engage with 10-year-olds during its 10^th anniversary in 2010.

Sara Stevenson, head teacher at Crackley School, said: “It’s been absolutely fantastic. The children are very proud of their work – as is the whole school - and we have received some very favourable comments from parents.”

The children – selected because they would all be aged 10 in 2010 – were involved in the project from the word go, submitting designs and preparing a Power Point presentation which helped them succeed in their bid for a share of the £32,000 fund.