It is a subject sometimes dismissed as 'soft' and less important than the core skills of reading, writing and maths.

Eastern Daily Press: Pupils from Hempnall Promary School have spent a week studying different artists and come up with their own exhibition. Picture: SONYA DUNCANPupils from Hempnall Promary School have spent a week studying different artists and come up with their own exhibition. Picture: SONYA DUNCAN (Image: ARCHANT EASTERN DAILY PRESS (01603) 772434)

However one Norfolk school's recent art exhibition aims to show how improving it art provision has given pupils a more rounded educational experience.

Amazing sculptures and stunning paintings by budding young Van Goghs featured in the colourful display at Hempnall Primary School, near Diss, designed to give every child a chance to showcase their work.

Each class teacher chose an artist they liked, with young people doing activities and creating art related to that person's style.

Eastern Daily Press: Pupils from Hempnall Promary School have spent a week studying different artists and come up with their own exhibition. Picture: SONYA DUNCANPupils from Hempnall Promary School have spent a week studying different artists and come up with their own exhibition. Picture: SONYA DUNCAN (Image: ARCHANT EASTERN DAILY PRESS (01603) 772434)

Parents were invited into the South Norfolk school in The Street, Hempnall, which caters for around 110 pupils, to see their children's creations.

Eastern Daily Press: Pupils from Hempnall Promary School have spent a week studying different artists and come up with their own exhibition. Picture: SONYA DUNCANPupils from Hempnall Promary School have spent a week studying different artists and come up with their own exhibition. Picture: SONYA DUNCAN (Image: ARCHANT EASTERN DAILY PRESS (01603) 772434)

Headteacher Laura Jestico said mums and dads had left 'amazing comments' on a graffiti table.

'One of my year-four boys said: 'It's cool to be able to share our artwork with our parents,'' said Mrs Jestico, executive headteacher for Shelton and Hardwick with Hempnall Federation of schools.

'Every child has got more than one piece in the exhibition.

'They produced lots of art forms in their chosen artist's style. It's quite breathtaking.

Eastern Daily Press: Pupils from Hempnall Promary School have spent a week studying different artists and come up with their own exhibition. Picture: SONYA DUNCANPupils from Hempnall Promary School have spent a week studying different artists and come up with their own exhibition. Picture: SONYA DUNCAN (Image: ARCHANT EASTERN DAILY PRESS (01603) 772434)

'We worked quite hard on improving our music provision when I arrived as head last year.

Eastern Daily Press: Pupils from Hempnall Promary School have spent a week studying different artists and come up with their own exhibition. Picture: SONYA DUNCANPupils from Hempnall Promary School have spent a week studying different artists and come up with their own exhibition. Picture: SONYA DUNCAN (Image: ARCHANT EASTERN DAILY PRESS (01603) 772434)

'All the creative arts are important because they raise children's self-esteem. That impacts positively on the subjects they are tested on.

'I've got brilliant children who smash their tests in science and maths. I've got children who are equally talented in arts and music.

'We want every child to feel their primary school is somewhere they can be successful.'

Eastern Daily Press: Pupils from Hempnall Promary School have spent a week studying different artists and come up with their own exhibition. Picture: SONYA DUNCANPupils from Hempnall Promary School have spent a week studying different artists and come up with their own exhibition. Picture: SONYA DUNCAN (Image: ARCHANT EASTERN DAILY PRESS (01603) 772434)

The exhibition, which includes sculptures of trees, elephants and even a creature made up of lots of other creatures, opened on Tuesday, November 21.

Hempnall Primary School was given a short inspection by education regulator Ofsted in October, where it continued to be rated as 'good'.

Inspector John Daniell said: 'This is a school that continues to improve.'

What is going on at your child's school? Get in touch with us, including your full contact details, by emailing andrew.papworth@archant.co.uk

Eastern Daily Press: Pupils from Hempnall Promary School have spent a week studying different artists and come up with their own exhibition. Picture: SONYA DUNCANPupils from Hempnall Promary School have spent a week studying different artists and come up with their own exhibition. Picture: SONYA DUNCAN (Image: ARCHANT EASTERN DAILY PRESS (01603) 772434)

Eastern Daily Press: Pupils from Hempnall Promary School have spent a week studying different artists and come up with their own exhibition. Picture: SONYA DUNCANPupils from Hempnall Promary School have spent a week studying different artists and come up with their own exhibition. Picture: SONYA DUNCAN (Image: ARCHANT EASTERN DAILY PRESS (01603) 772434)

Eastern Daily Press: Pupils from Hempnall Promary School have spent a week studying different artists and come up with their own exhibition. Picture: SONYA DUNCANPupils from Hempnall Promary School have spent a week studying different artists and come up with their own exhibition. Picture: SONYA DUNCAN (Image: ARCHANT EASTERN DAILY PRESS (01603) 772434)

Eastern Daily Press: Pupils from Hempnall Promary School have spent a week studying different artists and come up with their own exhibition. Picture: SONYA DUNCANPupils from Hempnall Promary School have spent a week studying different artists and come up with their own exhibition. Picture: SONYA DUNCAN (Image: ARCHANT EASTERN DAILY PRESS (01603) 772434)

Eastern Daily Press: Pupils from Hempnall Promary School have spent a week studying different artists and come up with their own exhibition. Picture: SONYA DUNCANPupils from Hempnall Promary School have spent a week studying different artists and come up with their own exhibition. Picture: SONYA DUNCAN (Image: ARCHANT EASTERN DAILY PRESS (01603) 772434)