Through the Lens Catmose College Students Celebrate the Beauty of Rutland
The rolling landscapes of Rutland and the quiet charm of Leicestershire have been cast in a new light, thanks to a captivating photography competition held at Catmose College in Oakham. By challenging students to turn their cameras toward the beauty of their own backyard, the school and developer Bellway East Midlands have turned local scenery into a professional-grade gallery.
The project encouraged students to move beyond the classroom and find the extraordinary in their everyday environment. With 30 entries submitted, the competition became a testament to the observational skills of the town’s younger generation. The initiative culminated in a special presentation where Bellway East Midlands Sales Manager, Fiona Bray, visited the college to honor the winners: Abbie Dales, Sebastian Fresia-Farrelly, and Hope Revitt.
For these students, the competition offered far more than simple recognition. The winning images have been curated for permanent display within the showhome at Bellway’s new Barleywoods development on Braunston Road. This transition from school project to commercial exhibition allows the students to see their work appreciated by a wider audience, providing a meaningful boost to their developing portfolios.
Curriculum Lead of Art, Mrs. Sanger, emphasized the importance of such real-world opportunities, noting that the collaboration allowed students to capture the region in a deeply personal and creative way. For the overall winner, Abbie Dales, the success brings practical benefits as well; she plans to utilize her prize a voucher for the local print shop Pixel + Paper to further her studies in GCSE Photography.
From the perspective of the developer, the partnership was an exercise in community connection. Fiona Bray highlighted that viewing local landmarks through the eyes of students offered a refreshing, authentic perspective on the region. Having previously welcomed the school's engineering students to their construction site, Bellway views this artistic collaboration as another vital step in supporting the Oakham community.
As the winning photographs now prepare to take their place in the Barleywoods showhome, the project stands as a successful bridge between local industry and the classroom. By transforming academic exercise into public display, the students have not only captured the essence of their home county but have also taken an confident step toward their own professional futures.
