The Shaping Portsmouth Team are proud to announce that the winning product from the 2024 Shaped By Solent programme will be available for purchase starting this Easter.
Through their hard work and creativity, the talented students of Wildings Group at Mary Rose Academy have created a truly unique and special item that will soon be available in the museum’s gift shop!
Their final creation is a beautiful children’s book titled The Mary Rose’s Big Day, written by the students and illustrated by the talented Nicola Sutton. The book tells an engaging story about the iconic Mary Rose, bringing it to life for young readers, while also promoting the museum and its incredible history.
In addition to the book, a sensory pack has been created to complement the story, designed to engage children with special needs and enhance their experience of the book. The sensory pack includes tactile, auditory, and visual elements that allow children to explore and connect with the story in a more interactive and meaningful way.
The Shaped by Solent programme, brings together Solent Academies Trust, Shaping Portsmouth, The Mary Rose Museum, and a range of high-profile businesses to mentor and provide experience in business and public speaking to classes of Special Education Needs and Disability (SEND) students.
Their task is to brainstorm, create, and present products that the students then sold at the Shaping Portsmouth Conference in January, with profits from funds raised going to the schools to benefit their students and facilities. This year the winning product is also being sold at the Mary Rose Museum. Sales of all the products at the Shaping Portsmouth Conference have raised £900 for Solent Academy Trust so far.
Working closely with their mentor, Joe Tafferelli, the Wildings Group’s dedication and teamwork have truly paid off, and their creation will serve as a lasting reminder of the amazing work that can be achieved when creativity, collaboration, and passion come together.
Congratulations to the students of Wildings Group for this incredible achievement, and thank you to Joe Tafferelli for his mentorship and support throughout this journey. We can’t wait to see this book in the hands of visitors to The Mary Rose Museum!
