Southwark's Charles Dickens Primary School scoops fourth top arts award
Published 11 January 2012
A creatively driven primary school in Southwark has scooped a fourth national award for its outstanding commitment to the arts.
Pupils at Charles Dickens Primary School in Borough showcased their top artistic skills to claim the Artsmark Gold award from the Arts Council.
Artsmark is a national programme that encourages schools, further education colleges and other institutions to deliver a rich and high quality provision of arts and to be recognised and accredited for doing so effectively.
The programme has a rigorous criteria, that helps organisations to benchmark their provision and the Arts Council assigns an arts education professional to provide support throughout the assessment process.
Charles Dickens Primary School received its first Artsmark Gold award in 2004 and since then entered the programme every two years.
Children from nursery age to year six are taught drama, dance, music, poetry, art and participate in projects that develop their individual talents and skills as well as their self-confidence and self- esteem.
The school has a part time resident artist and part time resident musician who have taught at the school and worked with school staff for more than eight years.
Headteacher, Teresa de Quincey, said:
"The whole school, both the staff and pupils, are inspired by a curriculum rich in the Arts and we believe we offer an outstanding opportunity to our pupils. I'm really proud of what we have achieved and that once again we have received a prestigious external award confirming our excellent work in the Arts.
"The children develop a range of worthwhile creative and thinking skills whilst their self- confidence and self-esteem are boosted. This spills over into other subject areas and contributes to the high academic standards at the school."
Catherine McDonald, Southwark's cabinet member for children's services said:
"This is a brilliant achievement for the Charles Dickens Primary School . I highly commend Teresa and her staff and pupils for their dedication and commitment to the arts."
Dame Liz Forgan, Chair of the Arts Council England, said: "The Charles Dickens School is a shining example of creative teachers using the arts to help even very young children grow in confidence and give them the ability to express themselves eloquently. It was a delight to see children so absorbed, so focused and so genuinely creative."
The school intends to continue putting the Artsmark programme at the heart of its curriculum.
