Pupils at Bernards Heath Junior School welcomed artist Rana Begum as part of their annual Arts Week celebrations.

Rana attended Bernards Heath in the 1980s, when her family moved to St Albans from Bangladesh.

Throughout the week, children took part in activities based on Rana's work, learning how to use a range of media to recreate her art.

Herts Advertiser: Rana Begum was greeted by headteacher Darren Armoogum and art lead Katherine TaylorRana Begum was greeted by headteacher Darren Armoogum and art lead Katherine Taylor (Image: Bernards Heath)

The pupils worked in mixed aged classes so older children could help the younger ones.

Parents who are either employed in or have an interest in the arts were invited to help with the whole school art exhibition, along with Verulam GCSE art students and Sandringham A-level students.

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Children in Year 4 also visited St Albans Museum + Gallery to see Rana's work up close.

Rana later talked to the whole school about her work, and was "overwhelmed" by the display and the efforts art lead Katherine Taylor and her teaching assistant Anne Naisbitt had made to organise the week for the children.

She told pupils how, in her first few days at Bernards Heath Juniors and not speaking any English, she was given pens and pencils and allowed to draw her experiences - which she credited with starting her artistic career.