Students and staff at St Gregory’s Catholic College are celebrating after being awarded the prestigious Gold Artsmark Award, recognition that places them among an outstanding group of schools committed to arts and culture in England.
Artsmark is the only creative quality standard for schools, accredited by the 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 student outcomes and wellbeing.
The Arts Council’s assessor praised St Gregory’s as a “vibrant, fun and exciting place to be,” noting that the school’s strong commitment to arts and culture is “having measurable effects on both staff and students.”
Standout strengths highlighted in the assessment included the school’s arts-based ethos and values, with particular praise for the use of drama in PSHE to explore social justice and friendship.
The assessor also celebrated student voice and leadership, recognising the KS5 ambassadors programme and student leadership roles in major productions including Mary Poppins and the Elements Festival.
The school was commended for its thoughtful approach to equity, diversity and inclusion, its use of participation and attainment gap data to evidence impact, and the professional development offered to members of the Performing Arts department to grow their individual specialist skills.
Melissa George, Headteacher, said:
“The arts aren’t a nice-to-have. They’re where our students find their voice, take risks, surprise themselves and each other. Watching a shy Year 7 command a stage, or a student use drama to make sense of something that matters to them – that’s not something you can put in a textbook.
“This award belongs to every student who threw themselves into it, and to the brilliant teachers who created the space for them to do that. We are immensely proud of this award and the extraordinary dedication of those who helped secure it.”
Head of Performing Arts, Claire Richards added:
“What this award really reflects is what happens in our classrooms and on our stages every day – students being given the space to be creative, articulate and brave. Our team works tirelessly to make that possible, but it’s the students who make it real.”
Dr Darren Henley OBE, Chief Executive of Arts Council England, said:
“I would like to congratulate St Gregory’s Catholic College on their Gold Artsmark Award. Creative activities and cultural experiences enrich our lives, open our minds to new possibilities and help us make sense of the world around us. As an awarded Artsmark school, you’re demonstrating that by offering a broad, ambitious and creative curriculum, your young people will develop character and resilience, increasing their knowledge, curiosity and skills that will remain with them through to adult life.”