A £1.3m project aimed at persuading youths to be arty instead of creating trouble has come to an end.

The north Swindon-based Flux project has been working with Isambard Community School and the surrounding primary schools to teach film making, website design, puppet making and animation among other skills.

More than 7,000 people have taken part in the project, which is part of Swindon Council’s Artsmad programme.

Artsmad director Kirsty Carter said: “It is sad but we knew it was a three-year project.

“As north Swindon has grown from grassland to estates with 10,000 new homes, Flux has created new traditions for a new community.

“We wanted to put soul and life amid the concrete and bulldozers.

“As the young get involved in creative things this will stop them getting involved in anti-social or destructive behaviour.

“The biggest achievement has been supporting the new Isambard secondary become known quickly as a creative school.”

Isambard will become a specialist performing and media arts college in September, only two years after opening.

Overall, almost 130 artists have taught more than 2,800 hours of arts and crafts to youths through Flux.

The project has seen directors, photographers, editors, journalists, animators, filmmakers, choreographers passing on their skills to children and teenagers.

And the FluxMobile bus has seen more than 1,000 children use its digital studio.

Kirsty said: “All the indications are that the arts programme has especially motivated students who might otherwise have become disengaged with school.

“I can think of students who did not have a good record of learning before this who have been really spurred on, getting enthusiastic, taking responsibility and learning skills.”

Flux was based at Isambard, in Redhouse Way, and the project has shaped the school’s art curriculum.

Headteacher Rachael Mattey said: “Real artists don’t paint for an hour, then pack away and dance for an hour, then pack away and sing for an hour. Neither do our students.

“They immerse themselves in the art form for at least a day at a time – giving them the opportunity to live the true creative experience.”

Kirsty is leaving her post as Artsmad director to become assistant head at Isambard.