On Tuesday 14 June, the children of Silverwood Special School in Devizes enjoyed a lesson with a difference, as they got a visit from an Aardman animator.  

Jim Parkyn, from the Wallace and Gromit franchise, has worked in animation for 20 years, and now works to share the message that anyone can be creative if they put their minds to it.   

Visiting the special school in Devizes, the accomplished model maker sang the praises for the children who took part in his masterclass, describing it as being a particularly “life-affirming” experience.  

The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald: Animator from Wallace and Grommet Jim Parkyn gives a masterclass producing models of Shaun the Sheep with students at Silverwood school. Photo: Trevor Porter.Animator from Wallace and Grommet Jim Parkyn gives a masterclass producing models of Shaun the Sheep with students at Silverwood school. Photo: Trevor Porter.

He said: “I do lots of classes like this, teaching young people how to make their own things out of clay, and am always impressed by their abilities.   

“But this masterclass was especially life-affirming, and they were all great at making their own models.  

“The levels of excitement were massive.”  

One student, Sid Pazell, was the inspiration behind the meeting, due to is flair and talent for model making, which drove teaching assistant Suzie Doig to push for a visit from the animator.

The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald: Jim Parkyn with students Sid Pazzell, Jamie Naylor and Teaching assistant Suzie Doig. Photo: Trevor Porter.Jim Parkyn with students Sid Pazzell, Jamie Naylor and Teaching assistant Suzie Doig. Photo: Trevor Porter.

Jim kicked off his own career after his GCSEs, by taking on a BTEC qualification in design, and said that his English teacher had also opened a door for him in the television and film industry.  

As well as being part of Aardman, Jim has also worked with the BBC and a number of independent studios.   

Since he started sharing his passion for clay making and his history of working in animation, he has had the chance to speak at many leading workshops at schools, festivals, and corporations of all sizes.  

Some of his clients have included Airbus, The Audit Commission, Comic Relief, Eden Project, National Trust, Sky, and many more.   

Explaining what encourages him to pass on his creative wisdom, Jim said: “A lot of people don’t think they will be able to do it, but the main thing I want to do is make sure there’s nothing holding them back so they can give it a proper go.  

“If you’re given permission to be creative, then that’s tremendously empowering."    

Steven Lanson-Dale from Silverwood said: “Our students have a range of disabilities and conditions but this is by no way going to stop our drive to realize their dreams, as many of our kids thrive in art, and have expressed a keenness to get into animation and the arts industry.”