A meditative sculptor has spearheaded an initiative to put art into the heart of a Suffolk school.

Halesworth sculptor Patrick Elder, who sees sculpting as part of the “inner journey of discovery”, is displaying three of his abstract sculptures at Saxmundham Free School.

Headteacher Dr Rob Crawley said he hoped the move will help make art more accessible and start “the beginning of a new cultural journey” for the students.

“Too often art is seen as something rarefied and belonging only in museums and galleries,” he said.

“We want to change that and are very privileged to have Patrick’s beautiful works on display.”

The three sculptures, which Patrick describes as resulting from “pure thoughts acquired through meditation” have been met with an enthusiastic response from the students. “I think they’re awesome, not like normal sculpture,” said Year Seven student Aiste Strelkyte.