Turning a former office into a breakout room for staff gave high school pupils a unique opportunity to create art to hang in Falkirk Council’s headquarters as well as add to their exam portfolios.

The eight black and white images of iconic local landmarks were taken by Falkirk High’s Higher Photography students after the school was approached to produce art to hang in an informal meeting room.

Gordon O’Connor, Audit Manager, Falkirk Council, initially approached the school, which his daughter attends, to see if its Art Club would create work to brighten up the walls of the room within the Municipal Buildings.

Instead, the Head Teacher suggested asking its Higher Photography students to create work that would not only be displayed in the room but also become an integral part of their exam portfolio.

Mr O’Connor said: “The school was very enthusiastic, and Miss Gilbert, the art teacher, took the class to various local landmarks which they chose to photograph in black and white. We got the eight images blown up in size and framed at no cost to the school or the Council. The photos now line the walls of the room and are a real focal and talking point. Hopefully they images will also help the pupils’ secure top marks in their Highers this year.”

Keith Webster, Head Teacher, Falkirk High, said: “This was a fabulous opportunity that allowed our pupils to showcase their skills behind the camera. “It also provided them with an additional opportunity to develop their work, supporting the creation of their individual portfolios which will be submitted to the examination board for marking.”

Left to right in the photograph:  Keith Webster (HT), Shannon Brown, Ellis Mills, Glen Graham, Andrew Forsyth, Alex Gilbert (Art teacher). Sam MacLeod also contributed to the project but was absent on the day that the photo was taken.