GALASHIELS Academy pupils have been showcasing their artistic talents in a pop up shop in the town centre.

Art and design teacher Pamela Inglis wanted to show off the quality of work the academy pupils produce to try to stamp out unfounded bad impressions prospective parents may have of the school.

She said: “For some reason, people have this impression of the academy that it's not a very good school. When deciding where to send their kids, parents seem to have this debate between Earlston and Gala, and I have no idea why.

"We are a great school with amazing exam results and, as seen by the pop up shop, amazing talent. The work these kids produce is of an extremely high standard, not only in art but across the school. If you live in this catchment area why not send your kids to the academy? The bad impressions of it are completely unfounded.

Pupils rented out rhw ols Thornton's store in Channel Street for a week to allow the public to see the hard work they put into their exams and coursework.

The walls were covered from floor to ceiling with A-graded art marked by Scotland's exam board, as well as mannequins weraing dresses designed by some of the students.

Alice Milivoyevich, a sixth year who had her work on display, said: "Everyone thinks art is an easy subject and that you just go into class and mess around with paints. But we wanted to show how much time and effort goes into our art portfolios that get sent away for grading.

"We don't just send awat one piece, but a whole collection. We work so hard on the pieces all year and are very proud of them, so it's nice that we have a chance to show this to the public rather than the work just getting sent to an SQA exam board and never being seen.

"We were really excited about getting this opportunity. It was a great idea."

Not only was there impressive art-work on display, but six-foot boards propped uo around the floor showing the achievements of the school's sports teams and other subject areas.

Mrs Inglis thought it was important to take advantage of the space to show off as much as possible of what goes on at the school.

“I just want to do my best to promote Galashiels Academy as a great school for kids by showing how talented they are, and, how the staff nurture raw talent and allow the pupils to achieve great things.

"This was a great way of promoting the school because no on can deny how amazing the work on show is.”

“We display art around the school of course but having an exhibition in the centre of the town gives the wider public a chance to see how talented our students are.

“People were even offering to buy some of the work which was amazing to hear."