Dundee Tapestry inspires children to create their own version for school anniversary

The Dundee Tapestry has inspired a group of primary school pupils to make their own.

Children from Downfield Primary School will thread together the last 150 years of school history into their own version to celebrate its anniversary.

Headteacher Karen Emmett told STV News: “Our school’s been involved with another project again linking in with Creative Scotland and the V&A.

“The children have been learning crochet and knitting, stitching and design so it’s about tying up all these parts of their learning into something really meaningful.

“The children and so interested in learning about the past but they’re also learning about what our school might look like in the future so it’s really tying everything together.”

A group of school pupils met some of the 140 volunteers behind the Dundee Tapestry.

It took the crafters two years to make 35 panels detailing the story of Dundee.

Nearly 86,000 people visited when it first went on display at the V&A Dundee between January and April this year.

John Fyffe MBE, part of the Dundee Tapestry Team, said: “The overwhelming majority of people who came to see the Tapestry in January to March were over a certain age, so to get people at the other end of the spectrum coming and the school seeing this as a context for learning, wow it’s fantastic.

“I know the tapestry team are delighted by this development and it can only get better.”

The school will be supported by the experienced tapestry makers as their prepare to unveil their own version next year.

Councillor Stewart Hunter, children, families and communities convener, said: “It’s great to be celebrating Downfield Primary School’s 150th Anniversary and marking the occasion in partnership with V&A Dundee.

“This milestone offers an opportunity for the children to learn about the rich history of their school, explore the local area, and get a deeper understanding of the wider city. Whilst also exploring what the future of Downfield Primary might look like.

“As part of our celebrations the school are going to work with V&A Dundee, MAKE knit workshop, and Creative Scotland to learn about the Dundee Tapestry.

“The children will also work to create their own tapestry panel to celebrate 150 years of Downfield Primary School.”