Hornby High School, Feature Sculpture

In December 2020, I was invited to work with a group of around 15 young men from Hornby High School to create a feature sculpture for the school entrance.

The design is based on four carved feathers, each representing the school's values — commitment, achievement, resilience and respect. Hornby was historically known as a feeding and landing ground for birds, so the feather form connects back to the area and its history.

We worked on the sculpture over two weeks. It was physical work. Stone carving isn't something you rush — it takes patience, effort, and a willingness to keep going even when you're tired.

As the project unfolded, I saw some of those boys begin to realise what they were capable of. When you stand in front of a block of stone, it doesn't move unless you do. Strike by strike, the shape begins to emerge. That lesson applies well beyond carving.

Alongside the practical work, we had conversations about life after school — about how the subjects you learn now often matter more later than you think. Even in my own work as an artist, communication, maths, planning and persistence all play an important role.

By the end of the two weeks, the sculpture standing at the front gate was more than just stone. It represented shared effort, high standards, and the satisfaction that comes from seeing something through to completion.