ARTSMARK GOLD AWARD

We are delighted to announce that Broughton Community Infant School has been awarded GOLD Artsmark by Arts Council, England; this is the top award for the Artsmark.

Arts Council England's Artsmark award recognises schools that demonstrate a commitment to providing opportunities across all art forms from drama to music, design to literature, dance to sculpture. The scheme also encourages schools to work in partnership with artists and arts organisations.

Chris Williams, Headteacher of Broughton Community Infant School, said "I am thrilled that the Arts Council has recognised Broughton Community Infant School's dedication to the Arts. We are justly proud of our whole School and of our classroom displays. All our children have examples of their artwork displayed and great care is taken in the presentation. Everyone is encouraged to develop a lifelong love of the Arts and to further enrich the curriculum, we organise a variety of visiting artists and performers who offer a range of skills and opportunities. We give additional teaching time to the Arts during lunch-times and after School. We involve our local community on many occasions during the year".

What is Artsmark?

Artsmark, modelled on the successful Sportsmark and Activemark schemes, is a benchmark for arts education provision in schools. Artsmark is awarded by the Arts Council of England, and is available to all schools in England.

Who Support Artsmark?

The Artsmark scheme has the support of the Secretaries of State for Culture, Media and Sport and for Education and Skills. Representatives of the Department for Culture, Media and Sport, the Department for Education and Skills, the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority, OfSTED, the Arts Council of England and Sport England are on the advisory group for the scheme's development.

What are the aims of Artsmark?

  • encourage schools to raise standards of arts education provision in the curriculum and in out-of-hours learning activities
  • raise the profile of arts education throughout England - within schools, within arts organisations, and within communities.

The objectives of the scheme are to:

  • recognise, promote and disseminate good practice in arts education provision
  • extend arts education opportunities in schools
  • encourage effective partnerships between schools and arts practitioners and arts organisations

What are the benefits of Artsmark?

Gaining the Artsmark award will allow schools to celebrate their success. It will raise the profile of the arts in school and in the wider community. The award will show teachers, parents, pupils and the wider community that as an Artsmark school:

  • the school values the arts
  • arts education provision is well-managed
  • pupils have access to a broad arts curriculum
  • the arts are part of the whole school curriculum
  • there are opportunities for pupils to take part in and enjoy the arts out of lesson time
  • there are partnerships with arts practitioners and arts organisations which increase pupils' experiences of the arts
  • teachers leading arts activities have access to continuing professional development
  • the school has improvement targets for the arts