School gets top marks for arts

All Saints School, performing arts department have received an Artsmark Gold Award. l-r Zachary Adams 12, Bethany Haywood 15, Anna Broadhead 15 and Connell Pearce 14.

Staff at a Mansfied school are celebrating after receiving recognition for the quality of performing arts provision offered to students.

All Saints’ Catholic School, in Broomhill Lane, has been awarded an Artsmark Gold Award from Arts Council England, for its high standards in drama, dance, music and art.

The school holds regular performances throughout the year, and also works with a resident theatre company, based at the school.

Performing arts is also used across the curriculum, to allow youngsters to explore academic subjects in a more creative way.

Once a year, youngsters studying performing arts also go on an overseas tour, staying on campsites throughout France and performing to holidaymakers.

George Stanton, curriculum leader for performing arts at the school said: “Performing arts is a very popular subject area with students and something they excel at.

“We also use performing arts across the curriculum, so in science we run murder mystery sessions where students pretend to be forensic scientists to apply what they are learning to solve the mystery.”

Artsmark is administered by Trinity College London on behalf of the arts council, and recognises excellence in the provision of arts and culture in schools nationally.