Proud staff and students from Highfield Littleport Academy have been awarded the Silver Artsmark Award, in recognition of their commitment to cultural education.
The school, which is situated on the edge of the Fenland town of Littleport, caters to pupils within a 2-19 year age range who have significant and complex learning difficulties. Some have associated physical disabilities, sensory, communication or medical needs.
Artsmark is the only creative quality standard for schools, accredited by Arts Council England and it has recognised the school, which is part of Active Learning Trust, for successfully embedding arts, culture and creativity across the whole curriculum.
Staff from Highfield Littleport Academy found the process to be a positive experience, boosting the visibility and value of the Arts across the school community. The framework helped pupils to feel empowered to try new things and teachers built up confidence through exploring examples of good practice. The programme kicked-off with a whole school festival, which the children enjoyed so much, there are plans to repeat it each year.
Head of the School, Yvonne Skillern explained that: “Our pupils have a wide range of needs and learning styles, so our curriculum has a number of pathways to help meet these. Adding enhanced provision through the Arts has increased engagement and improved our pupils’ use of perceptual skills and response to stimulation.
“There have been excellent opportunities for collaborative working between groups on a shared creative stimulus with hugely positive effects, such as developing good social skills for our learners.”
As a result of the school’s journey so far, there are plans to continue developing external partnerships with other agencies to develop the Arts even further.
Both the staff and students have fully engaged in the project, leading to the prestigious accolade. The school recently held an arts exhibition, demonstrating the importance of recycling, which saw fantastic feedback from students, the community and parent visitors.
Yvonne added: “It is clear to see our achievements over the Artsmark journey have cemented the idea across the school that the Arts have much to offer learners with complex needs. Well done to all of the staff and students involved. I am looking forward to seeing our provision develop even further in the future for the benefit of each and every learner.”
CEO of Active Learning Trust, Lynsey Holzer said: “I am delighted that Highfield Littleport Academy has received this award in recognition of both the hard work and dedication of the school’s staff and the enthusiasm in which pupils embrace the Arts.
“To see the positive impact engaging with the Arts has on pupils is hugely rewarding and the school will enjoy many more exciting arts projects in the future. Congratulations everyone!”
