THIS little felt world is populated with everything from penguins to parrots, as well as children from more than 45 countries.

The 460 children at Wantage CE Primary School discovered their cultural heritage by making a tapestry, five-and-a-half by two-and-a-half metres, showing where their families come from.

It took two weeks to make and decorate all the countries, and another week to sew the felt patches together.

Year six pupil Tara Paxton-Doggett, 11, said: “It was really cool and interesting to see where other people’s families come from. One boy in my class, his family came from Poland and I never knew that.

“It shows you it doesn’t matter where you come from, everyone can be friends.”

Children found their families came from Poland, Australia, the Falklands, Thailand and Belarus.

Arts co-ordinator Karen Wymbs, whose name comes from Ireland, said: “At our last Ofsted inspection we were told one way we could be better would be to improve our cultural development.

“I have had children coming up to me saying ‘I am from Thailand, where is it on the map?’ So it has been great for their geography as well.”

When new children come to the school, they can add their families to the map.