This is an exciting project for Oxfordshire going into 2011 and one that has proven to be highly successful in other locations. Anything which drives visitor business around the county should be both applauded and embraced; and Visit Oxfordshire will look forward to working with the Woa! Rhino team to ensure its success".

John Hoy, Chief Executive Blenheim and Shadow Chair Visit Oxfordshire

Anything but “uniform” for schools

Posted on July 6, 2011 by Oliver

The beauty of this project is that it only has three fixed requirements – purchase a mini-rhino sculpture, design and decorate it to a decent standard and place it out on our public trail next Spring. Everything else is a moveable feast.

As to how you fund your participation, that’s up to you. We have discussed internal budgets, fundraising, working with a local business and community organisations enabling schools to take part.

Fundraising could be creative in itself. We’ve supported a “guess the weight of the mini-rhino sculpture” competition at a school fete. You could do an own clothes day. You could commit to the project and think about earning the money back during your participation through ancillary activities.

Working in partnership with a local business can be fun. If any parents of pupils own a local business it might be a good opportunity to raise their profile to a new audience. Maybe someone has a shop or similar business with a window that can accommodate the rhino sculpture as part of the public trail, thus driving visitors to the premises.

In terms of design and decoration, children can be fantastically creative. Our Creativity (curriculum) Pack will provide you with over 45 pages of material and inspiration. It will also flag up formal links to Key Stage 1, 2, and 3. Use it as you see fit. The sculpture enables a “wow” factor at the start. It facilitates cross-themed learning. It develops child-led learning and risk-taking. All contribute positively to school evaluations.

Final question, where are you going to put your sculpture on public trail? Let us help you to team up with a public trail “partner”. We are currently discussing an art gallery, a museum and a shop with individual schools. We are also looking at an international partnership.

As we said, it’s anything but uniform. Maybe your priorities are talented and gifted pupils, social media, creative arts, environmental awareness or international twinning. We can discuss and look to support you in various ways. First step, agree to get involved. Call us and we will come and see you.