Islington pupils lift the lid on The Jolly Postman sound installation at The Postal Museum

A class of Islington pupils who helped to create a new exhibition on The Jolly Postman at The Postal Museum, became the first school group to visit today.  

The Year Two pupils from Winton Primary School worked with staff from The Postal Museum and music and science educators School of Noise to record a sound installation inspired by Janet and Allan Ahlberg’s best-selling children’s book. 

As well as narrating pages of the book, the children used Foley techniques – a type of sound design used on television to reproduce the sounds of everyday objects – to immerse listeners in the fairy-tale world of The Jolly Postman. The pupils blew through straws into water to imitate the bubble of the Witch’s cauldron and used an old boot for the heavy thud of a giant’s footstep.  

They also recorded the scratch of a feather quill on paper and the tap of old-fashioned typewriter keys to bring to life the book’s memorable pull-out letters and postcards.  

The interactive exhibition invites visitors to step into the homes of the fairytale characters featured in the book. From the witch’s gingerbread cottage to Cinderella’s palace, visitors can lift the lid on a letterbox in each house to hear the pupils’ recording of each chapter and see the original artwork that inspired it.  

Sally Bruce, exhibition curator, said:

“With their expressive narration and playful sound design, the pupils at Winton Primary School have captured the warmth, humour and creativity of Janet and Allan Ahlberg’s words and illustrations. It feels just right that they will be the very first school group to peer into the letterboxes and hear the story spoken in their own words.” 

Dan Mayfield, founder of School of Noise said:  

“We had a fantastic time with the Year Two pupils at Winton Primary School, exploring various objects and instruments like wooden bird calls, hydrophones, bicycle wheels, and waterphones. The students listened carefully to each sound and enjoyed discovering how everyday items could become something new, like popping bubble wrap to sound like a crackling fire!” 

Teacher Abbie Lodge said:

“Year 2 have had a brilliant time creating the sound effects for the story of The Jolly Postman! Using a boom microphone and recording equipment they narrated all the different parts of the story. Then, using lots of different and surprising objects, they created the sound effects. This included: blowing bubbles into a bucket full of water, ringing bells, scratching cardboard, rattling keys and laughing and singing (this was for the party part of the story!). The children had a fantastic experience!”

Headteacher Gregory Gray said:

“Partnering with The Postal Museum for The Jolly Postman workshop was a genuine highlight for our school. Seeing our Year 2 students so captivated by the interactive pop-up scene was wonderful; it made literacy and history feel incredibly vibrant. We would be thrilled to make this an annual tradition that brings such joy and inspiration to our young learners.”

Primary schools across the UK can join Winton Primary School in contributing to the exhibition by making and sending their own fairy-tale mail inspired by the book for a special display within the exhibition. 

Schools can also book The Jolly Postman schools programme, which can be delivered at the museum, or virtually in classrooms across the country.  

For members of the public, the exhibition is included in general admission to The Postal Museum. General admission ticket holders receive a ride on Mail Rail on their first visit and unlimited entry to The Postal Museum’s galleries and exhibitions for one year from the date of their first visit. Visit our website for further price breakdown and ticketing information.