Monday 16 October 2017

Record number of North East schools gain coveted Artsmark

On Friday, for the culmination ofArtsmark Celebration Week, a record 16 schools in the North East region were granted Artsmark status, the creative quality standard for schools, accredited by Arts Council England.

Artsmark, which is recognised by Ofsted, demonstrates that a school champions and delivers high quality arts, helping unlock the potential of children and young people by increasing their knowledge, skills, and understanding of the arts in its broadest context.

The award provides a clear framework for teachers to plan, develop and evaluate arts provision across the curriculum within a whole school improvement plan. Schools are then awarded Silver, Gold or Platinum Artsmarklevels.

The 16 schools, the highest number to be awarded Artsmark in the North East since the scheme began, take the number of levelled schools in our region up to 25. More than 200 schools in the region are on their Artsmark journey working towards levelling. The North East has the highest proportion of schools undertaking Artsmark in England – a significant achievement for our region.

All these schools are supported by Culture Bridge North East and The Forge, who work together to deliver the Artsmark programme in the region. This includes providing advice, CPD, training and introductions to cultural organisations in the area.

Helen Green, Area Manager and Artsmark lead for Culture Bridge North East said: “We’re proud to be celebrating a record number of schools gaining Artsmark status in the region, which is a fantastic demonstration of how highly the arts are valued throughout the North East.

“We have a great range of art and cultural organisations in this part of the world, and this level of Artsmarksuccess shows how much schools value this, recognising the positive impact arts and cultural education has on children and young people.”

The North East schools that have been awarded an Artsmark level are:

School / Area / Level Awarded
Furrowfield School / Gateshead / Gold
North Durham Academy / Durham / Platinum
Bloemfontein Primary School / Durham / Silver
Etherley Lane Primary School / Durham / Gold
Beech Hill Primary School / Newcastle upon Tyne / Gold
English Martyrs' RC Primary School / Newcastle upon Tyne / Silver
Northfield School and Sports College / Stockton-on-Tees / Gold
Stobhillgate First School / Northumberland / Platinum
The Duchess's Community High School / Northumberland / Gold
New Delaval Primary School / Northumberland / Silver
Hexham East First School / Northumberland / Gold
Cragside C of E Primary School / Northumberland / Gold
Newminster Middle School / Northumberland / Platinum
Chantry Middle School / Northumberland / Platinum
Hadrian Park Primary School / North Tyneside / Gold
Shiremoor Primary School / North Tyneside / Gold

For more information about Artsmark, visit culturebridgenortheast.org.uk/artsmark.

ENDS

Media contact:

Jule Wilson, Communications Officer, Culture Bridge North East

(0191) 277

Notes to Editors:

Culture Bridge North East provides information and support to help ensure every child in the North East is able to access excellent art and culture. For further information, visit culturebridgenortheast.org.uk