Pupils from Holyhead Primary Academy took part in a community event in Wednesbury town centre to celebrate the launch of new wayfinding totems as part of the Wednesbury Levelling Up Partnership (WLUP) regeneration programme.
The event marked a key milestone in the redevelopment of the town centre and the completion of new public improvements designed to make Wednesbury easier to navigate, safer and more engaging for residents and visitors.
Selected pupils from the school joined Sandwell Council officers, councillors and WLUP partners for the launch. They took part in an interactive totem walk activity, using the new installations to answer questions and explore information about Wednesbury’s history and local landmarks.
As part of the activity, pupils explored how Wednesbury has developed over time and how its location connects it to the wider West Midlands. They also learned about Ethelfleda Square and its historical links to Anglo-Saxon Mercia, including how early settlements in the region were fortified and how those connections are reflected in the town today.
The activity also encouraged pupils to think about how public spaces are designed and how maps, signs and landmarks help people move around towns safely and confidently in linking with wider road safety.
The wayfinding totems have been installed across the town centre to help people find their way more easily while also sharing stories about the area. They form part of wider improvements delivered through the regeneration programme, which has included new paving, tree planting, upgraded public spaces and additional safety measures.
Natalie Shipley, Principal at Holyhead Primary Academy, said: “We were proud to have been invited to take part in this event because it reflects something we value deeply as a school, which is our role at the heart of the local community.
“Wednesbury has such a rich Black Country heritage and a real significance within the wider history and culture of the West Midlands, and it’s important that our pupils grow up understanding that they are part of that story. Opportunities like this help them make that connection between where they live and the history that has shaped it, and it was a privilege for us to be involved alongside other local organisations.”
The WLUP Wayfinding Launch forms part of a wider government-funded programme aimed at improving Wednesbury town centre and supporting long-term regeneration. The programme has focused on improving public spaces, increasing accessibility and strengthening the town’s identity through heritage and design.
Holyhead Primary Academy’s involvement highlighted the role of local schools in community projects and provided pupils with the opportunity to engage directly with changes taking place in their town.
