Pupils at St Paul's Junior School have created a giant puppet to highlight the challenges faced by refugees.

It was part of a wide range of projects and workshops being run by creative community interest company, Make the Sunshine in partnership with six local schools.

The youngsters worked with celebrated local artist and puppet maker Mandy Mckenna on the project. Through weekly sessions with Mandy and Make the Sunshine, they created a giant puppet based on the true story of a Hala and her family who were forced to flee Syria. As well as making a giant puppet out of Papier Mâché, students have also created their own folk art design to be featured on Hala's clothing.

Ninety students across Year 5 all worked on the puppet ,and also made a range of shadow puppets and banners to create a piece of theatre. Through the medium of shadow puppetry students have told the story of the many challenges facing refugees as they make their journey to safety.

As well as being shared for World Refugee Day on June 20, the puppet will be also be used as part of a large performance created by 800 children and performed by 200 on July 15 at St Paul's Junior School. The performance, 374 ways to change the world, features children from across the six schools – St Paul's CofE VC Junior School, Bowlish Infant School, St Aldhelm's Cof E VA Primary, The Federation of Croscombe and Stoke St Michael and Shepton Mallet Infants School.

The projects have been supported by Shepton Mallet Town Council, Mendip Council, Somerset Community Foundation, Wells Festival of Literature and Take Art Barn Fund.