School strikes gold for artistic excellence (From Wiltshire Times)

School strikes gold for artistic excellence

12:17pm Friday 16th June 2006 in Search

A PRIMARY school has struck gold when it comes to artistic endeavour.

The Grove Primary School in Hazel Grove, Trowbridge, is one of only two schools in the county to be given the national Artsmark Gold award in recognition of the arts education it provides for pupils.

Headteacher Paul Berry said: "I am so proud of the efforts of all our children. They constantly amaze me with the quality of work they produce across the entire curriculum.

"I was delighted to hear the news of our Artsmark Gold Awards and the timing of it could not have been better.

"It came at the end of our arts fortnight, during our carnival parade. The children broke out in a spontaneous cheer." To gain the award schools have to demonstrate a commitment to providing opportunities across all the arts including drama, poetry, music, dance and sculpture.

Over the past year the children have gone on visits to art galleries, local artists have come in to work in the classrooms and there have been 12 arts-based out of school clubs.

Arts co-ordinator James Pemberton said: "This is a fantastic achievement and the gold award is a deserved recognition for the hard work of children and staff over a long period.

"The children deserve this. The work they produce is of a very high standard across all the arts subjects and, what's more, they enjoy every bit of it."