Pupils and staff at Plympton Academy are celebrating after receiving the prestigious Gold Artsmark Award – a national accreditation to recognise its commitment to the arts.
To achieve their Artsmark Award, Plympton Academy, based on Moorland Rd, 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 school.
Over two years, Plympton Academy received professional support through an immersive learning programme from Artsmark’s delivery partner, Goldsmiths, University of London, who are world-renowned leaders in creative pedagogy and cultural placemaking.
The Artsmark Assessor commended Plympton Academy saying: “Plympton Academy has delivered an ambitious and inspiring Artsmark journey rooted in inclusivity, aspiration and creative agency.
“The school offers a rich curriculum spanning music, dance, drama, art, design and photography, supported by strong facilities and strategic investment in specialist teaching.”
On receiving the award, Tyler, a student in Year 9 who plays the saxophone in the school band, said he feels proud to be part of a school that has achieved the Gold Artsmark Award.
He said: “I feel really proud and inspired to be part of a school community which values creativity and the arts, and I really enjoy contributing to the rich musical life of Plympton Academy."
Artsmark is the only creative quality standard for schools, accredited by Arts Council England.
It transforms teaching through creativity, empowering teachers with the skills they need to embed arts, culture and creativity across the whole curriculum, and is proven to support pupil outcomes and wellbeing.
Shaun Willis, Headteacher at Plympton Academy, said: "Achieving the Gold Artsmark Award is a proud moment for our whole community. It reflects our courage to innovate, our curiosity to explore new ideas, and our compassion in ensuring every pupil has access to a rich, creative education. This recognition shows that when we work together as a community, we can create opportunities that truly transform life chances."
