Students at Bluecoat Aspley Academy have enjoyed an iconic opportunity this summer, supporting the development of the eye-catching and ‘globally recognisable’ Nottingham sculpture on Maid Marian Way.
A group of Year 8 pupils at the Archway Learning Trust school were invited to take part in a consultation workshop with artist Alicija Biata to explore their themes and ideas about the new silhouette sculpture of Maid Marian, in partnership with Nottingham City Council, BACKLIT Gallery and It’s in Nottingham. It will feature in Nottingham’s new rain garden at the corner of Maid Marian Way and Upper Parliament – the entrance to the city.
The session helped students discover the stories, folklore and meaning behind the statue, connect with others in the local community, and make a significant contribution to what is set to become a landmark for the city.
As part of the session, students used local natural plants and foliage as inspiration for the silhouette, including plants grown as part of the Wilding Campuses Wildflower meadow on Bluecoat Aspley’s site – an initiative in collaboration with the University of Nottingham aimed at helping children reconnect with nature and transforming school grounds into biodiverse spaces.
Martha Toogood, Arts Enrichment and Enhancement Coordinator at the Trust, said: “Encouraging children to get involved within their local community is a huge part of what we do at Archway Learning Trust, and we are incredibly proud to offer students the opportunities to take part in initiatives where they can not only see their ideas come to life, but also play such a significant role in such an iconic project centred on a globally recognisable figure who is such a central part of our identity, history and heritage in Nottingham.”
Sinead Moynihan-Case, Head of Art, Bluecoat Aspley Academy, said “The knowledge that some of these plants might be used in the final work is really exciting and gave the students a real feeling that the sculpture will belong to Nottingham and Bluecoat Aspley.”
Ben Wright, who had led the Wilding Campuses initiatives at Archway, and is the Biodiversity Officer at the Trust, added: “The Wild area reflects our commitment to transforming lives by creating greener, more sustainable learning environments. It has provided students with hands‑on experiences and environmental stewardship, supporting inclusive, real‑world learning beyond the classroom.
“This has enhanced student wellbeing and empowered young people to become responsible leaders of the future. To see this now potentially become a part of a city landmark is a real testament to the hard work students have put in, and is a wonderful example of how we are working together for a more sustainable future for our region.”
The new sculpture will reimagine Maid Marian as a living presence shaped by Nottingham’s landscape, folklore and shared values. Formed from cast-metal fragments of native plants, the artwork will reflect themes of ecology, resilience and collective memory. Students who took part in the workshop are also set to attend its unveiling this July 17.
James Higham, CEO at Archway Learning Trust added: “As we celebrate our 320th year of educating children across Nottingham and the wider region, we are honoured to play a wider part in marking the city’s history and heritage through our involvement in its new Maid Marian statue. The project is a reflection of our Trust values of collaboration, inclusion and excellence that have underpinned everything we have accomplished together over more than three centuries and it’s a real privilege for our students to be involved in this timeless initiative.”
Archway Learning Trust is a Multi-Academy Trust (MAT) with 11 academies across Nottingham, Nottinghamshire, Derby and Derbyshire.
