Dagenham pupils in final of fourth plinth competition

Creative pupils from the borough won a prestigious prize for their inspired artwork.

Three 10-year-old pupils from Monteagle School, Burnham Road, Dagenham, beat a record 500 entries to the final of a London-wide art competition based around Trafalgar Square’s fourth plinth.

Charlotte Mortimer, Arlinda Begu, and Kleida Proni created a sunflower using card, newspaper, masking tape, plaster of Paris fabric strip, paint and felt tips.

Their art teacher, Michelle Lineham, said: “They are over the moon, and I am so proud of them.”

A total of 33 Fourth Plinth School Award winners – one from each borough – were chosen as winners, and their work is on display at City Hall until April 29.

Every year the Fourth Plinth Schools Awards invites pupils and students from primary and secondary schools across London to make artworks inspired by the commissions for the space in Trafalgar Square.

All winning students and their schools were invited to attend the exhibition launch and awards ceremony at City Hall last week and prizes were awarded by Yinka Shonibare MBE, the current artist showing on the fourth plinth.