A Curious Visitor came to Cragside. He is called Alex. He visited the school at different times for a whole year.

As the seasons changed, The Curious Visitor noticed lots of sights and sounds. He noticed the rhythms of the school. Sometimes it was full of noise and energy. Other times it was quiet. He noticed nature, music, children, grown-ups, even pigeons. All part of the life of Cragside Primary.

The Curious Visitor asked children, teachers and staff what they noticed too. Here is what they noticed in Spring.

Spring: Voice (Part 1)

Music is a really important part of school life at Cragside. From Kodaly singing in Reception, to assemblies, to the choirs that rehearse and go out to sing at events throughout the year. Throughout the school day musical instruments are taken out of cases, lovingly assembled and plucked, bowed or blown.

Some of the musicians in the school have helped with the soundscapes we have made.

Harbour by Anna Tabbush is just one of many songs sung at Cragside that reflects the welcoming nature of the school. Our first Spring recording is the Key Stage 1 Choir singing this song.

Spring: Voice (Part 2)

It is rare not to hear the sound of children talking and enjoying themselves. The schoolyard is always particularly lively.

In the outdoor spaces of Cragside, there are so many plants growing. We took the time to look and listen. As the plants grow you can hear the voices of teachers and children. They are growing too.

“When you go out into the woods and you look at trees, you see all these different trees. Some of them are bent, and some of them are straight, and some of them are evergreens, and some of them are whatever. You see why it is the way it is. You sort of understand that it didn’t get enough light, and so it turned that way. You don’t get all emotional about it. You just allow it. You appreciate the tree.

The minute you get near humans, you lose all that. You are constantly saying, “You’re too this, or I’m too this.” That judging mind comes in. So I practice turning people into trees. Which means appreciating them just the way they are.”

- Ram Dass in The Marginalian

Look

The children at Cragside showed The Curious Visitor lots of things around the school. Things that caught their eye. Things that they wanted other people to notice too.

Creative Team

Alex Elliott
Garry Lydon

With particular thanks to the Senior Leadership Team of Cragside Primary School.

Made possible with funding from Arts Council England and North of Tyne Combined Authority.