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Case Studies

Case Studies

In January 2022, Fusion (Barnsley’s Local Cultural Education Partnership) introduced its first Creative Schools Programme to support settings in embedding the arts, culture, creativity and heritage across the whole curriculum.

An room with art on the walls and a table and chairs in the middle where a group of women are sitting and taking part in a monoprinting workshop. Lots of art materials are scattered across the table

St Paul's Juniors' Artsmark journey began as a means of getting accreditation for their arts provision. However, they soon began to see opportunities to improve, specifically pursuing more meaningful collaborations across departments.

Image of historical Da Vinci Lego men as part of a Stop Motion animation scene

The Rotherham Artsmark Consortium group is bringing together schools to collaborate in new ways, make unexpected connections and help arts education thrive in South Yorkshire.

Image from Redscope Primary School pupils who focused on observational drawing and pencil skills as part of their Artsmark journey

Ellesmere College, an SEND setting in the East Midlands, used Artsmark as a way to deepen their knowledge and expertise, drawing on the talents of its specialist staff to create positive, inclusive, confidence-building experiences for its students.

Two young boys in wheelchairs, performing on stage

This CPD video video from Artsmark Partner, The Drama Geezers, introduces you to some quick and fun Drama activities to try out with your students.

Screenshot of a YouTube video from The Drama Geezers (two men) and the title 'Artsmark CPD with The Drama Geezers'

Having worked to consolidate their Artsmark Gold Award in 2015, achieved Platinum in 2017 and then again in 2019, Newminster Middle School have reapplied to continue their Artsmark journey this year... but why?

Photo collage of young people taking part in various creative activities

This video case study highlights the impact achieving a Platinum Artsmark Award had on Adderley Primary's whole school community, including interviews with the school's Arts Council, Arts Governor and Arts Leaders.

Female pupil talking to camera, standing in a school library

Martin Knowles, headteacher of the Essa Academy in Bolton, has long been a proponent of the arts, believing that they are a crucial way to broaden learning experiences and give pupils the chance to succeed in a wide array of subjects.

“We were very much a meat and potatoes school,” says Gwen Perfitt, from Corringham Primary in Essex, in her assessment of her school’s former level of arts provision.

The new Ofsted framework (2019) holds schools to account to develop character – including their resilience, confidence and independence – and help students know how to keep physically and mentally healthy.

This case study outlines the partnership between Oxford University Gardens Libraries and Museums (GLAM) and the Iffley Academy with a focus on how creative engagement with buildings and place, can affect outcomes for teachers.

Rachael Borman, primary art teacher and director of AmaSing, explains how with a bit of creative thinking and collaboration, schools can still find ways to provide pupils with valuable arts and cultural experiences.

Children singing on stage in a concert

One primary school explains how it used the arts to engage pupils in LGBT issues and get them talking about diversity and how Respect – for oneself and for others – is one of the key values they teach at Middleton Primary.

Paper origami diplayed as a heart on a black wall with LGBT written next to it

One director of STEAM explains how the introduction of a STEAM-based curriculum has built creative and connected learning experiences.

What do the Mercedes Young Apprentice of the Year 2018, a trainee secondary school drama teacher, an Oxbridge student of mechanical engineering on her industry placement year abroad and the Royal Opera House’s latest technical theatre apprentice have in common? Each of these inspiring young women is making use of the skills and knowledge gained from embracing a variety of high-quality arts learning – both inside and outside the classroom – during their years of study at Ricards Lodge High School.

Art shouldn’t just be confined to art lessons: integrating it across the curriculum can have huge benefits for both past and present students. At Canewdon Primary School in Rochford, they believe that every child should engage in meaningful and motivating art experiences.

Putting creativity at the heart of a school is challenging - here one trust explains how it successfully embedded the arts across their 34 primary and secondary schools.

Older children dancing on stage

This Artsmark Celebration Week, Dame Reena Keeble tells us why arts and culture are essential parts of a child’s education.

Two schools explain why Artsmark is not an end in itself, but a long-term commitment, a spur to further action and just the start of their arts journey.

The Artsmark Award has been a part of Havelock Academy for over ten years now, holding a Gold award under the previous framework, and in 2017 they gained their Platinum Award in the new, refreshed framework. Here they explain why Artsmark is so important.

One primary teacher and former cultural education consultant shares her tips on raising funds for school arts activities.

A deputy head explains how incorporating drama techniques into a drive to boost reading has inspired teachers and contributed to raised attainment.

Young pupils performing in a play, gathered in a huddle looking scared

By placing creativity and cultural experience at the heart of learning, one head explains how his failing school achieved outstanding outcomes in just a few years.

Children sitting on a bench facing a large field, drawing the landscape

One of Portsmouth’s youngest school governors, aged just 21, talks about why he became a school governor and the important role arts and culture play in children’s education.

A group of secondary students dancing on stage

Promoting the arts in school benefits the whole curriculum – pupils grow in confidence and perform better across the board, writes the principal of an Artsmark Platinum Award school.

Female group of dancers in black outfits

If schools put arts at the heart of their curriculum, they don't need to be near towns and cities to offer amazing cultural enrichment, writes the head of an Artsmark Silver Award school.

A young boy in a regal outfit performing on stage

Putting our students with SEND at the forefront of collaborative arts projects has had a huge impact on their learning. Thomas Tallis School discuss the impact of their partnership with Tate galleries and the Tate Exchange programme.

Pupils from Thomas Tallis school working on a structural project at Tate gallery

Find out how Artsmark is enabling Gomersal Primary School to embrace the arts as a means of helping pupils to express themselves and interact more closely with their peers.

A group of students sitting Parliament with their teacher holding their thumbs up

In 2017, Strike Lane Primary in Preston embarked on its Artsmark journey and began working with Lancashire Music Hub to enhance cultural opportunities for its pupils.

Pupils in singing in a choir in a church setting

Arts education doesn't have to be confined to only art, music and drama, says this arts director – there's room for it across the whole curriculum at Bourne Westfield Primary Academy.

A group of pupils holding sitting with drums holding up their drum sticks