STUDENT designers have seen their lasting symbol of compassion unveiled in a school sculpture garden.
Students at The King's Academy, Coulby Newham, were set the annual challenge of coming up with a design to represent the next in its list of seven values.
Sculptures signifying courage, determination and integrity have previously been designed by students.
The winning entry for compassion was designed by Josh Trimble, Lauren Coulthard, Rebekah Wrigglesworth and Ben Jackson.
Josh explained: "Our first idea was to have a pair of hands with a heart in the middle but other groups came up with the same thing. We realised we'd have to think outside the box and thought that compassion isn't just about listening, it's also about action."
The winning design, which was cast in steel by South West Durham Training and welded in the academy's engineering department, is of an ear to depict listening and a fishing net and hammer which symbolise action.
Engineering teacher Michael Donnelly explained that after finalising their design ideas the students modelled them in card. The best designs were then created in acrylic.
Lauren said: "The final sculpture fits well with the vision we had, it's what we were hoping for."
Principal Chris Drew added: "It's an inspired design which makes you think.
Compassion isn't just about listening or even hearing, it's about acting on need and providing support where you can, which is one of the values we aim to instil in our students through our core values.
"This latest sculpture means we now have four in our garden, which is starting to look very impressive as well as being thought-provoking, with three more for students to design in the coming years."
