PUPIL REINTEGRATION UNIT (PRU)
The Seymour Centre in Great Alne is one of four centres run by the Warwickshire Pupil Reintegration Unit (PRU). The Head was keen to develop closer links with the local community and was interested in opportunities for students to explore broader cultural experiences through new media. This became the main brief for Another Country.
Between February and July 2006, artist Trevor Mathison worked with a teacher and two Year 11 students from The Seymour Centre using film and digital photography to explore cultural backgrounds and the rural environment. Student Oli Fagg worked with Trevor Mathison, to capture personal experiences of life in the countryside.
Work focused on capturing different personal perceptions of positive images of rural life, including recording a visit to one of the Young Farmers’ competition days where they demonstrated their skills and talked extensively about farming practices.
One interview involved a Year 11 student on location at her grandfather’s farm who described her experience of the realities of rural life and farming which had been previously undiscovered at school. The experience increased teachers’ understanding and encouraged her to become a key participant in Another Country.
Trevor and Oli produced a joint exhibition which was exhibited in the Young Farmers Association’s marquee at the Royal Show in July 2006 and visited by over 2000 people, including David Milliband, David Cameron and Lord Rooker, the Minister with responsibility for sustainable farming.
The Seymour Centre in Great Alne is one of four centres run by the Warwickshire Pupil Reintegration Unit (PRU). The Head was keen to develop closer links with the local community and was interested in opportunities for students to explore broader cultural experiences through new media. This became the main brief for Another Country.
Between February and July 2006, artist Trevor Mathison worked with a teacher and two Year 11 students from The Seymour Centre using film and digital photography to explore cultural backgrounds and the rural environment. Student Oli Fagg worked with Trevor Mathison, to capture personal experiences of life in the countryside.
Work focused on capturing different personal perceptions of positive images of rural life, including recording a visit to one of the Young Farmers’ competition days where they demonstrated their skills and talked extensively about farming practices.
One interview involved a Year 11 student on location at her grandfather’s farm who described her experience of the realities of rural life and farming which had been previously undiscovered at school. The experience increased teachers’ understanding and encouraged her to become a key participant in Another Country.
Trevor and Oli produced a joint exhibition which was exhibited in the Young Farmers Association’s marquee at the Royal Show in July 2006 and visited by over 2000 people, including David Milliband, David Cameron and Lord Rooker, the Minister with responsibility for sustainable farming.