CEN October Blog
October Blog Post
During the last school year, the Artsmark and Goldsmiths teams enjoyed getting out and about to visit a diverse range of Artsmark schools. Each visit offered a unique insight into how arts, culture and creativity are being embedded into the curriculum, celebrated across whole school, and are empowering both staff and pupils.
These visits have not only highlighted the creativity and commitment within each school community but also reinforced the importance of collaboration, equity, and advocacy in arts education. Here’s what we saw.
Wellington School, Cheshire
Wellington School impressed with its vibrant Year 7 off-timetable day, showcasing a wide range of creative activities from painting and photography to game design and Design Technology projects. The school’s commitment to reading for pleasure and community engagement was evident, with inclusive spaces for SEND pupils and a strong arts presence throughout. Wellington hold two Artsmark Gold awards and are hoping to achieve Platinum soon. They said they welcomed the support and resources on offer to help them on their journey.
| Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Breakfast | vibrant Year 7 off-timetable day | strong arts presence | range of creative activities | strong arts presence | painting and photography |
| Lunch | range of creative activities | vibrant Year 7 off-timetable day | painting and photography | painting and photography | strong arts presence |
| Dinner | strong arts presence | painting and photography | strong arts presence | range of creative activities | vibrant Year 7 off-timetable day |
Oak Meadow Primary School, Wolverhampton
Oak Meadow Primary’s “University of Oak Meadow” enrichment week brought the curriculum to life across four faculties with activities including Creative & Culture, Mental Health & Wellbeing, STEM and Physical Health.
- The school’s Brazil-inspired decor and enthusiastic student engagement reflected a deep commitment to the arts. Staff were passionate and welcoming, and the visit underscored the value of Artsmark’s visibility in schools.
- It was clear to see how proud headteacher, Paul Lane, was about how much the arts are embedded throughout the curriculum, giving credit to the hard work and passion of his teaching staff.
- It was clear to see how well the children were engaged and confident with the school’s approach to teaching and learning.
Oldfleet Primary School, Hull
Oldfleet Primary is leading the way in embedding arts and culture across its curriculum, guided by Creative Arts Lead, Chris Holmes. The school’s creative sessions, such as music and dance, link to local history and showcased how arts can enhance learning and engagement, especially in a community with limited access to cultural experiences. Their future plans include a podcast studio to boost writing skills and pupil voice. Staff are really enthusiastic about Artsmark and committed to building cultural capital through partnerships and innovative projects.
