STUDENTS and staff at Newton Abbot College are celebrating after receiving a prestigious Artsmark Award in a momentous year for the programme as it celebrates 20 years of arts, culture and creativity in schools.

A school spokesperson said: ‘Newton Abbot College are especially proud to win this as they are the first secondary school in Devon to ever win the Platinum Award.

‘The Artsmark Award is the only creative quality standard for schools, accredited by Arts Council England.

‘It supports schools to develop and celebrate arts and cultural education, putting creativity and wellbeing at the heart of the curriculum. Artsmark ensures every young person can be creative and access a diverse, high-quality cultural education.’

In order to achieve their Artsmark Award, Newton Abbot College had to develop their arts and cultural provision to embed a broad and ambitious curriculum.

‘This was achieved by creating an overall plan that was committed to and delivered across the whole college.’

The Artsmark assessor commended Newton Abbot College on ‘actively promoting a lifelong love for learning and enjoyment of arts through a range of experiences and opportunities’.

On receiving the award, Amy Grashoff, headteacher, said: ‘This is a truly amazing achievement and testament to the incredibly high quality and standard of Arts education at Newton Abbot College.

‘It is also a really well-deserved reward for our staff and students as it recognises the arts expertise and talent within the college and the wide range of arts opportunities that our students take part in. 

‘What makes it even more of an achievement is that we are the first secondary school in Devon to win an Artsmark Platinum Award.’

Dr Darren Henley OBE, chief executive of the Arts Council, said: ‘I would like to congratulate Newton Abbot College on their Artsmark Award.

‘Becoming an Artsmark school demonstrates that through offering a broad, ambitious, and creative curriculum, every pupil can develop character and resilience, increasing their knowledge, curiosity and skills that will remain with them through to adult life.’

ARTSMARK

Artsmark is open to primary, secondary, and special schools, pupil referral units, secure settings, youth offending teams, hospital schools and sixth form colleges.

Artsmark is awarded at three levels; Silver, Gold and Platinum.

Visit artsmark.org.uk for more information.