One of the great joys of being the Headteacher here is seeing all the children participate in a wide range of wonderful creative arts opportunities. This gives the children a chance to shine in so many ways and can build confidence and motivation like nothing else! I have witnessed children who have struggled academically come alive when performing and those with a shy temperament beaming with pride over a stunning piece of art work.
It is so important to give children the chances to discover their talents and to engender a real love of learning and the arts create a forum to do this in the most wonderful way. The last 12-18 months we have all participated in imaginative and creative projects ranging from opera workshops, through to museum curation, sculpture and story telling.
Children have been able to perform to an audience and show case their work which has provided real context and meaning to their activities. So it fills me with pride to have this work recognised in the form of the Artsmark, achieving the highest accolade with the Platinum award. Huge appreciation goes to my team of staff who have totally embraced the arts within their teaching and particularly to Ms Vetch for her vision in developing the arts across the school and submitting our application.
It will be a tragedy for this generation if the arts do not continue as an essential element of children’s learning, and I hope that financial constrains will not prevent the amazing arts opportunities we can offer.
Please read the Artsmark panel comments below…
“The panel commends the outstanding level of commitment from the Head Teacher, Governors and staff, which has resulted in providing a wide range of high quality, engaging artistic and cultural opportunities for pupils. Of particular note is your leadership and support for other schools to develop their own arts programme. You provide an extensive range of accessible progression routes across the arts to pupils.
For future development, the panel wishes you every success in accessing further funding opportunities.
As a Platinum Artsmark school Arts Council England celebrates your commitment to arts and cultural education at a governing body level, the opportunities established across your provision and the leadership you are demonstrating in this area. Your children and young people are offered equal opportunity to influence, lead, experience and evaluate a diverse range of high-quality arts and cultural activities across a broad range of media and you are able to contribute to development opportunities in these areas for both your own staff and others.
You have strong partnerships with arts and cultural organisations and can evidence the positive impact of this collaboration. Your children and young people have an opportunity to continually develop their knowledge, skills and understanding of arts and culture and you are working to further develop the leadership role you have established.”
