We are delighted to share the news that Arts Council England has awarded Retford Oaks Academy an Artsmark Gold Award!
On presenting us with the award, Arts Council England said:
“Retford Oaks has undergone a rapid development during the Artsmark process, and raised the profile of the Arts with all stakeholders. There has been a high level of engagement in the process by all staff, across all departments.
“Creative home learning opportunities have been developed; as well as increased opportunities for students to participate in cross-curricular arts activities, such as the collaborative ‘Shakespeare Shake Up’ project across the newly joined English and Creative Arts faculty. Students and staff alike were inspired and motivated by the joint CPD, led by the Royal Shakespeare Company.
“The school has increased its existing strong range of offer, which includes dance, art, drama, music, photography and media at GCSE and post-16; an abundance of enrichment activities; and a strong programme of visits to arts and cultural providers. A new arts policy is ensuring that the school’s commitment to the arts is embedded across the school.
“Arts Council England celebrates your ongoing commitment to arts and cultural education at a leadership level, and the opportunities established across your whole setting. Your children and young people are offered equal opportunity to plan, experience, participate in, and evaluate a broad range of high-quality arts and cultural activities, and you recognise the importance of development opportunities delivered by specialists for your staff that have measurable effects in these areas.
“You engage with a range of arts and cultural organisations and other settings, and can evidence the positive impact of these partnerships. Your children and young people have an opportunity to further develop their knowledge, skills and understanding of arts and culture, and you are working to share the good practice you have established.
“Congratulations on an enthusiastic and ambitious start to Artsmark, with a coherent plan for your arts work going forward.”
A huge thank you and well done to our fantastic creative arts staff and our students for achieving this wonderful accolade!
