Artsmark is the creative quality standard for schools, accredited by Arts Council England. It supports teaching through creativity and helps improve pupil outcomes and wellbeing.
To achieve the award, Park High School, in Stanmore, in Greater London, developed its arts and cultural provision to include a broad curriculum. The plan was delivered across the school over almost two years with professional support from Goldsmiths, University of London.
The Artsmark Assessor praised the school for its “emphasis on the strengthening of community through the arts (which) is admirable and was much in evidence in your whole school ‘Arts Festival’” and “the contribution of the arts to wider learning (which has been) developed through CPD on the creativity and the use of Drama to support oracy”. The assessor also noted the “strong support for arts leadership” and the school’s “commitment to EDI (which) is a real and admirable strength of the school”.
Colette O’Dwyer said: “We are extremely proud of achieving our Artsmark Gold Award. We are committed to delivering a high-quality arts and cultural education.
“Our Artsmark journey has transformed Park High by providing opportunities for cultural capital in which our students have been able to participate as well as attending a rich range of workshops, masterclasses and performances. This reflects the undoubted commitment of our Performing Arts Faculty”.
Dr Darren Henley OBE, Chief Executive of Arts Council England, said: “I would like to congratulate Park High on their Artsmark Award. Creative activities and cultural experiences enrich our lives, open our minds to new possibilities and help us make sense of the world around us.
“As an awarded Artsmark school, you’re demonstrating that by offering a broad, ambitious and creative curriculum, your young people will develop character and resilience, increasing their knowledge, curiosity and skills that will remain with them through to adult life.”