As a school that highly values the Arts, we are currently working towards our Artsmark award. This is a nationwide award that recognises a school’s efforts to promote and encourage a love of all things creative!

In order to obtain this award, we need to demonstrate that we are immersing our children in Arts opportunities and working towards our targets. Some of the ways we do this include:

Artsmark Assemblies

Each term, we hold an Artsmark assembly to review our Artsmark values and recognise different professions and professionals who demonstrate these values. As well as this, we have weekly singing assemblies which explore songs from all around the world, as well as celebrate different festivities!

Artsmark Ambassadors

In each class, there are 2 Artsmark ambassadors who meet regularly to discuss what we can do in school to promote the Arts. These children will also help lead assemblies and their own clubs!  When our team captains change again, we will use professionals in the Arts as our representatives.

Termly Arts Days

Each term, the whole Federation has an Arts day. So far this year, we have had one ‘Around the World’ Christmas Arts day. Children were immersed in different cultures and explored different activities such as Bollywood dancing, creating paper lanterns and re-enacting traditions from around the world . This term, children experiences ‘Arts across professions’. Children looked at a variety of people in different industries, such as make up artists, choreographers and DJS. Children then completed activities linked to these professions.

Extra-curricular Activities

This year, our children have been incredibly lucky to have some amazing opportunities outside the classroom. Many of our Junior school children attended the O2 and performed as part of ‘Young Voices’ and our amazing Dance Live team hit the stage at Guildhall again this year. As well as this, we are fortunate to have clubs such as martial arts and gymnastics lead by experienced professionals. Children also take the lead on lunch time clubs, such as Drama and Dance clubs. Next half term, children will be leading a Wednesday Lunchtime club to showcase Arts from their own cultures and experiences.

Visits and Visitors

Across the year, we have a variety of visitors to share their passion for the Arts. Recently, we have had a make-up Artist in to share tips and tricks and a professional interpreter to teach the children a song in sign language. As well as this, our Year 4 and 5 children have been fortunate enough to work with Hampshire music service and we have some great experiences planned for the rest of the year.

An Engaging Curriculum

Our children benefit from our skilled subject leads planning exciting and engaging Art, music and PE learning journeys. These are skillfully differentiated so that all children can participate and experience these creative elements in a hands on way that allows them to explore their own talents and curiosities. As well as this, within our English learning journeys, children have one ‘No pens’ lesson. This is an opportunity for children to explore a text in a practical way and use drama. Our reading sessions also start with a Fluency read, which encourages children to work on their performance skills.

Celebration

Each half term, teachers select one child to receive an Artsmark Award. This is an award that recognises their efforts towards the Arts and highlights that they have used one of our values. Children’s achievements outside of schools are also recognised in weekly celebration assembly.

Performances

Across the year, children have multiple opportunities to perform. At Christmas time, all children participate in a nativity and children have 2 class assemblies across the year. As well as this, Year 6 have an end of term production and performances are incorporated into the music and PE curriculum. Furthermore, children have the opportunity to perform as part of Dance Live, our school choir and in Young Voices.

Our Statement of Commitment can be found here