St Werburgh’s and St Columba's Primary School honoured by Arts Council

St Werburgh’s and St Columba’s Primary school has been recognised for outstanding contribution to arts and cultural education.

The school has been awarded Artsmark Gold for its commitment to, and excellence in, arts and cultural education and provision.

The Artsmarks validator found that the arts were central to the schools work with the pupils. He stated “The staff are passionate and excited about the possibilities of the arts in their teaching and the impact that this can have for the wider community.

“There is a culture of encouragement and support of the pupils in their artistic expression and this produces an enjoyment and high standard of work and thinking around all the arts subjects.”

St Werburgh’s is already a Platinum Sing-Up school and has been leading singing projects with more than eight primary schools for the last four years. They have formed strong relationships and work with many arts specialists including the Manchester Camerata who have called the school ‘a hub of creative arts’.

Nick Ponsillo, head of learning and partcipation at Manchester Camerata, said: “The staff totally understand the role that the arts and music in particular can play within the curriculum and learning of children of all abilities, not simply as an enrichment activity but core to their learning”

The school’s music and arts leader Rachael Borman said: “We are so delighted that St Werburgh’s and St Columba’s dynamic arts education offer has been nationally-recognised.

“Holding Artsmark Gold status means we are leading the way in providing children and young people with excellent arts and cultural experiences. We believe in a cross-curricular approach to teaching and recognise the importance in providing an arts education to allow every child to grow and reach their potential academically, emotionally and socially.”

Artsmark is Arts Council England’s flagship programme which enables schools and other organisations to evaluate, strengthen and celebrate their arts and cultural provision. Artsmark is delivered by Trinity College London.