Published at 09:44, Friday, 17 July 2009

TWO Tynedale schools have received a national award in recognition of their commitment and excellence in arts education.

Gold mark: With the Artsmark award are, from the left, Corbridge students Sam Bragg and Anna Robson, the principal French horn player for the Northen Sinfonia Peter Francomb, student Carolyn Basing, deputy head teacher Ellie Harris, and student Thomas Nickson.

After applying for Artsmark status for the first time this year, Corbridge Middle School has shot straight to the top in the rankings by securing a gold award.

It was closely followed by Ponteland First School, which achieved a silver award in the ninth year of the competition.

The key to Artsmark success is using art, music and drama in innovative ways to teach the full range of subjects included in the national curriculum.

A school must dedicate a minimum of 10 per cent of its teaching time to the arts to receive Artsmark accreditation, while 12 per cent qualifies for silver and 15 per cent secures gold.

An Artsmark school also provides teachers with professional development and students an involvement with local artists and arts groups.

Corbridge Middle ach-ieved specialist arts college status in the performing arts last September, in a joint bid with Hexham Middle and St Joseph’s Middle in Hexham

Since then Corbridge’s after-school art, animation, dance, drama, singing and music groups have all gone from strength to strength, with children taking part in a major performance in Hexham Abbey earlier this year.

More recently, in place of the school’s annual summer performance, students took part in a music week, which ran from June 29 to July 3.

Singing workshops and performances in school from Hexham’s Queen Elizabeth High samba band, swing band and boys’ choir, as well as Corbridge Middle’s own ceilidh band, were included in the week.

It culminated in a talent show on July 3, with the finalists from the competition performing in a special concert for parents on July 9.

Head teacher of Corbridge Middle, Margaret Henderson, said: “I’m delighted the Arts Council has recognised Corbridge Middle School’s dynamic arts education programme.

“Since achieving specialist arts college status one of the highlights has been a cross-curricular project on the theme of diversity.

“Our students have really enjoyed working with local print artist Jo Westgate, in our newly refurbished art room, to make some fabulous African wall hangings.

“This is just one example of how we work to promote and encourage the arts in school.”

Chief executive of Arts Council England, Alan Davey, said: “We are committed to great art for everyone and we believe that the earlier children are creatively inspired, the more likely they are to have a lifelong engagement with art.

“Artsmark sets the standard for an outstanding arts offer in schools and it’s great to see so many new schools attaining the Artsmark award this year.

“The award recognises a school’s passion for the arts and its belief in the power of creativity.”

Published by http://www.hexhamcourant.co.uk