A MEMORIAL wall depicting the Chartist movement has been unveiled at the newly renamed John Frost School.

The 25-foot photo montage display of high resolution images showing chartist leaders was unveiled yesterday on a two storey wall at the school formerly known as Duffryn High School. Newport City Council's leader Cllr Debbie Wilcox and Cllr Gail Giles, cabinet member for education and young people, joined head teacher Jon Wilson and pupils for the unveiling.

The school worked with Newport Museum and Colorfoto to bring the display to life which features Chartists John Frost, Zephaniah Williams and Jones the Watchmaker. It also displays the six key points of the People's Charter which the Chartists believed were necessary to reform the electoral system to alleviate the suffering of the working classes.

Pupils at the school will learn about the Chartist movement in their history lessons.

The school's head teacher, Mr Wilson, said pupils were impressed by the display and had been asking questions about the movement.

He said: "It is quite impressive. It is part of our drive to make sure students understand the history of Newport and the chartist movement. The name of the school is not only a name it is significant to our history."

Mr Wilson said there was scope for more displays around the school with the opening of the new reception area scheduled for next year.

He added: "This was our first experiment - we are very pleased with it."

The school now has a new uniform, which includes a purple blazer, and a new motto - Carpe Diem, or seize the day.

The school will receive a new classroom block as part of works, with an estimated completion period of between 12 to 18 months.

Cllr Wilcox, leader of Newport council, said she was 'delighted' to attend the unveiling of the John Frost Memorial Wall.

She said: "It is a striking pictorial representation of John Frost and other Chartist leaders together with the painting from Newport Museum and Art Gallery of the Westgate Hotel depicting the moment on that fateful evening when the soldiers opened fire upon the Chartists.

"It also states the six demands of the Charter so that each and every pupil can have a clear understanding of John Frost and why he plays such an important part in the history of their city and in the naming of their school.”