Art Comes to Life at The Birches: Partnership with Manchester Art Gallery

Have you noticed the new artworks appearing around school? We’re proud to be taking part in Art Works in Schools, a project led by Manchester Art Gallery that brings modern and contemporary artworks from the public collection into schools, colleges, and alternative education settings across Manchester.

This exciting project builds on the legacy of the Rutherston Loan Scheme, first set up over 100 years ago with the same aim: to make high-quality art part of everyday learning. As part of the partnership, original artworks have been carefully installed around The Birches, giving pupils and staff the opportunity to experience and talk about art in familiar, meaningful spaces.

Pupils had the chance to visit Manchester Art Gallery during the Autumn Term to kick-off the partnership. Over the Spring and Summer terms, artist Kayt Woods will be working alongside pupils and teachers to explore new ways of embedding art into daily school life. The work will focus on developing visual literacy and creative expression, supporting communication, emotional wellbeing, and positive mental health for our pupils.

We’re excited to see how this project develops and will be sharing updates as the work progresses.

You can find the artworks in the following areas of school:

Entrance
Sea Mammal (2026), Marcus Coates

Big Cats
Gurnard's Head (1962), Thomas Gleghorn
Untitled (1964), Larry Poons

Giraffes
Night Flower (1977), Yoshiharu Kimura
Still Life 1992 (1992), Liam Spencer

Pandas
Zebras Drinking (1937), Orovida Camille Pissarro
Cow's Portrait (1971), Marvin Jones

The Hub
Baa's House I (2026), Hetain Patel

Art Works in Schools is funded by the Esmée Fairbairn Collections Fund and an Art Fund Reimagine grant.