Blaenau Gwent County Borough Council is delighted to celebrate the outstanding achievement of local pupils following the conclusion of the "From Screen to Green" AfroSheep Animation Competition. The competition formed part of the highly successful Autumn Term Tech Tour 2025, delivered through the BG STEM Project in partnership with AfroSheep Animations.
The initiative engaged pupils from 15 schools across Blaenau Gwent, with more than 22 workshops delivered to learners from Years 1 to 6. Throughout the programme, pupils explored the world of animation, digital creativity and emerging technologies while developing valuable skills in storytelling, problem-solving and creative thinking.
As part of the project, schools were invited to take part in a creative competition centred around the theme,"What matters to us in 2025/26." Pupils were challenged to develop imaginative concepts and pitches, drawing upon the skills and knowledge they had gained during the workshops.
Following an incredibly high standard of entries, Glanhowy Primary School was announced as the winning school, earning the opportunity to work directly with AfroSheep Animations to transform their ideas into a bespoke animated film. The finished film From Screen to Green | Animation Made by Kids at Glanhowy Primary is now live on YouTube and stands as a fantastic example of what young people can achieve when given the opportunity to bring their ideas to life.
Councillor Sue Edmunds, Blaenau Gwent Council’s Cabinet Member for Children, Young People & Families said:
"We are immensely proud of all the pupils who took part in this fantastic competition. The creativity, imagination and enthusiasm shown by young people across Blaenau Gwent have been truly inspiring.
"The winning entry demonstrated not only exceptional storytelling skills but also an ability to create a captivating and meaningful narrative. However, every pupil involved should be congratulated for their contribution. The quality of ideas presented across all participating schools was remarkable and reflects the incredible talent we have within our communities.
"Initiatives such as this encourage young people to think creatively, embrace technology and develop skills that will support future educational and career opportunities. We are delighted to see our learners given the chance to work alongside industry professionals and bring their ideas to life through animation."
The Council also praised the invaluable support provided by AfroSheep Animations, whose workshops gave hundreds of pupils a unique insight into animation, filmmaking and careers within the creative digital industries.
Founders Lauren and Jacob of AfroSheep Animations highlighted the creativity and artistic talent demonstrated by pupils throughout the project, noting the enthusiasm shown for animation, storytelling and future careers in the sector.
This successful partnership has showcased the wealth of creativity that exists within Blaenau Gwent's schools and highlighted the importance of investing in opportunities that inspire the next generation of digital creators, innovators and storytellers. The Council looks forward to building on this success and continuing to support programmes that help young people develop the skills and confidence needed for the future.
Hayley Boulton, STEM Facilitation Liaison Officer for Blaenau Gwent, said:
"The creativity and enthusiasm shown throughout this project has been incredible to see. Working alongside AfroSheep Animations has provided pupils with a fantastic opportunity to develop their storytelling, digital and creative skills in a fun and engaging way.
“Following the success of this competition, schools are looking forward to working with AfroSheep on an exciting comic book project later this academic year. We are extremely excited about the opportunities this will bring and can't wait to see what our talented young people create next."