The school where David Hockney's inspiration is felt everywhere

'We love you Mr Hockney' is the simple message from children in the reception classes at Saltaire Primary School.

And that love is evident in both the ethos and environment of the school.

Images of David Hockney's paintings adorn the walls, cartoons of him - complete with flat cap and paintbrush - can be seen on doors, a framed tribute photo greets visitors at reception, and his quote 'to me the world is rather beautiful, if you look at it' is emblazoned above a classroom door.

A week after the death of Hockney, tributes have been pouring in from around the world.

Royalty, politicians, artists and galleries have all reflected on the life of the Bradford-born painter whose colourful landscapes and Yorkshire scenes, as well as his portraits of ordinary folk and ordinary life, made him one of Britain's most celebrated cultural figures.

But in the West Yorkshire village of Saltaire, just a stone's throw from his former school, Bradford Grammar, Hockney is being remembered in a much simpler way, as the children of Hockney White create spring flower paintings inspired by the artist whose name their classroom bears.

For these youngsters, Hockney is not an art-world giant. He is simply part of everyday life.

When asked who he was, one child, Finn, answers confidently: "He was a famous painter." Another, Joni points out that "he doesn't just do paintings, he does videos as well."

The children know his work in detail.

Asked about their favourite pictures, Betsy says: "I like the big splash ones". For Finn, it's "the sunflower one" and Yunus says: "I like his trees."

Many have visited nearby Salts Mill, home to a huge collection of Hockney's work. For children growing up in Saltaire, his art is woven into the fabric of the village.

And they know why he matters here.

"Because we're named after him," says Bonnie, and Hayat adds: "He was born in Bradford."

As the children happily paint and chatter, there are echoes of Hockney's own approach, noticing details, experimenting with colours and painting simple joys.

"I was using red and white and pink," Betsy explains, while Joni says: "I was trying to draw the flowers."

Headteacher Chris Evans says Hockney's influence can be felt throughout the school and the wider community.

"We know how lucky we are to live and work in Saltaire village," he says.

"We also know how much we owe to David Hockney and his influence in the creation, the reimagining of Saltaire."

He points to Hockney's role alongside his friend Jonathan Silver in helping transform Salts Mill and creating a thriving cultural destination that attracts visitors from around the world and is a designated UNESCO heritage site.

"The idea that you bring people, art, history together, and what you get is this vibrant creative community. And really, that's one of the reasons we named the reception classes after David Hockney," says Mr Evans.

When teachers spoke to pupils about Hockney's death, the focus was not on sadness but celebration.

"We wanted children to reflect on his contribution in a joyful, optimistic way," Mr Evans says.

That joyful spirit is easy to spot in the classroom, which has many framed reproductions of Hockney works displayed.

And today, on large screens, his paintings of Saltaire landmarks are projected in the school hall as well as the classroom.

Asked what Hockney's legacy will be for these children, Mr Evans says: "It's that special link to Saltaire itself, and for children to really understand the special place that they live in, to be able to appreciate it, to be able to stand still long enough to see the joy."

Back to the young artists, and asked what the best thing about painting is, one pupil gives perhaps the simplest answer of all.

"I like it."

For a man often described as "the people's artist", there may be no finer tribute than a classroom of four and five-year-olds learning to look a little more closely at the world around them, and discovering, just as he did, the joy in everyday things.

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