Celebrating our schools!

Throughout Celebration Week, we got to see first-hand how Artsmark is transforming schools. We attended everything from choir rehearsals and drama workshops to student panels and art classes across the country. 

The week was a vibrant celebration of creativity, here are the highlights…

Wirral Hospitals’ School

Wirral Hospitals’ School is set across multiple sites, catering for those unable to attend mainstream school due to mental health or medical conditions. 

Deputy Headteacher, Sarah Marrion, took us on a tour of the campus to see students preparing for their GCSE Music Composition coursework, a pottery class and we even got to meet Lucky, the school puppy. This long-standing Artsmark Platinum school builds creativity into every aspect of their learning programme. Each year they hold an Enterprise Week where students plan, curate and deliver a whole programme of fundraising activities. From designing stalls, creating publicity materials, organising music or dance events, to inviting local businesses to participate or contribute. It’s really given them a sense of ownership and projects like this have helped build their confidence, social skills and life-long learning. It was inspiring to hear all about how their arts education has helped students to go on to lead more fulfilled and successful lives.

Wistaston Academy

In Crewe, we visited Wistaston Academy, an Artsmark Platinum school. They were hosting a whole school art exhibition, showcasing the incredible talent of every single pupil. We also joined in a print-making workshop, led by Art Teacher, Luchelle Walsh and a team of Arts Ambassadors. Neighbouring schools were invited to the workshop and visited the exhibition, exploring the artwork and sculptures. The young Arts Ambassadors shared with us how much they enjoy helping Mrs Walsh in the art room, saying ‘art really helps me relax’; ‘I enjoy school more’; and ‘art makes me really happy.’

Clifton Primary School 

At Clifton Primary School, in Hull, we learnt all about their annual PoArty Exhibition. This year’s event was inspired by the book ‘Town is by the Sea’ by Joanne Schwartz and celebrated the rich cultural heritage of Hull and its communities. We also got a tour of the Artsmark Gold school, seeing the many displays of pupils’ artworks which gave a great insight into their creative processes. We also got to chat to the Young Leadership Team about what art means to them and how important it is in their school life, before watching Year 6 pupils perform the poems and raps they have been working on. 

Thomas Gainsborough School

Thomas Gainsborough School in Sudbury has received three Artsmark Platinum Awards and are currently on their fourth Artsmark journey. The school has developed a three-part cultural capital strategy, including broad cultural exposure, local cultural exposure and authentic experience. We got to spend the whole day with the school, witnessing the impact their strategic priorities in cultural education are having on their young people.

We enjoyed a workshop by Gecko theatre company with Years 11 and 12, observed a very enthusiastic choir rehearsal and dance practice. We especially enjoyed the student panel discussion, hearing about how the arts in their school have impacted their confidence, skills and career ambitions. The range of opportunities available to students, both in the classroom and beyond is impressive.

New Broadwalk Pupil Referral Unit 

We headed off to New Broadwalk PRU in Manchester with a camera crew in tow. They are an Artsmark Silver setting, and we visited three art classes throughout the morning, observing a variety of projects. What really stuck out was the welcoming environment of their new Art classroom. Alice, the art teacher, has created a space and inviting space for the pupils, filled with plants and lots of artwork on display. Alice discussed the impact Artsmark has had on their pupils, saying: “It really sets them up for those levels of success and those measurable grades that they can take with them to apply for college and go on to further success.” 

Arden Primary School

In Birmingham, we visited Arden Primary School in Birmingham who were recently awarded an Artsmark Platinum award. We saw their incredible Art Studio and pupils’ sketchbooks, before enjoying a song and dance performance from Year 3 all about growth. The school also has forged strong connections with local arts organisations and freelancers, helping enrich the cultural opportunities available for their pupils.

It was clear to see that staff and school leaders are highly passionate about the arts and how this focus has shaped their curriculum. Artsmark has played a significant role in helping students develop skills that will benefit them throughout their school journey, while also enhancing their confidence and overall wellbeing.

Hillborough Junior School

Hillborough Junior School in Luton was recently awarded its second Artsmark Platinum Award. We had a fantastic day seeing grammar lessons come to life with the dramatisation of Goldilocks and the Three Bears, followed by meeting the students in Year 6 who were diligently making puppets for their Theseus production. Our visit ended with a high-energy music class, where students were exploring such a vast range of instruments, to compose group pieces. The whole day felt uplifting and joyful seeing such creativity woven into so many aspects of the curriculum. 

Hugh Myddleton Primary School

Meanwhile in London, we visited Hugh Myddleton Primary School who are on their second Artsmark journey, having been awarded Artsmark Gold. They were holding an exhibition of pupil portraits that evening, so we got shown how the whole school were preparing for the event. We also got to hear about the brilliant partnership work between the school and cultural organisations, including Sadlers Wells Theatre & Little Angel Theatre, who provide students with high-quality enrichment opportunities.

Riverside School

Riverside School is a triple Platinum community specialist school in Bromley, Kent. It was great to see how the  arts are embedded across the whole school, playing a vital role in the learning of all pupils across different learning pathways and with different needs. The creative energy was evident from the start as music played out at the front of the school, welcoming the children as they arrived off their minibuses on a Friday morning. There was so much joy and care in the school, a real sense of family, confidence and happiness across the classes. 

We also got to experience ‘Rythmerside’ - a movement and music-based programme designed for individuals with profound and multiple learning difficulties (PMLD), using music, touch and sensory-stimulating videos to enhance body awareness and motor skills. This has been created by the amazingly creative and skilled staff at Riverside school. It was wonderful to watch the joy on children’s faces as they engaged with the different senses and stimuli. You can watch their video about the project here.

Thank you to all the schools, and their pupils, for welcoming us with open arms during Artsmark Celebration Week. If you would like us to visit your school at any point in the year, we’d love to come visit you. Drop us an email: artsmark@artscouncil.org.uk. 

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