
Western Community Primary School
Artsmark Gold - 2022
Artsmark Gold Award
Feedback from the assessors
Assessors for the award commented on how positive it was that, despite the challenges COVID presented, we found creative ways to engage pupils in arts and cultural activities including, inviting a touring theatre company to come into school, and performances were filmed and shared with families using our school app and YouTube channel.
They acknowledged how we incorporated singing, arts and crafts and storytelling into our remote learning offer during school closures, with access through Seesaw and Tapestry, and that we shared our positive experience with other schools in the Learning Trust.
They liked the way teachers and pupils use technology to deliver and record learning in more creative ways. They supported how we have developed the School Council to help shape creative experiences, by establishing Wellbeing Ambassadors, Values Ambassadors and Eco-Councillors. These groups have been responsible for inspiring and involving children in arts activities and we received a Wellbeing Award for our commitment to wellbeing and mental health.
They recognised that we have carried out extensive work on our curriculum to revitalise and re-invigorate it, with subject leaders taking a key role in developing subjects. The Art subject leader was invited to work with other schools to showcase work and share good practice, whilst our inclusion provision has been recognised within the local authority as demonstrating best practice, and our Senior Leader for Inclusion has been invited to share our work with a range of schools across the borough. They were impressed by our Community Projects across Wallsend which included mosaic art work in the Forum, displays at the Co-op Funeral home and a Segedunum takeover day.
Year 2’s work on ‘A Story of Place’ is to be kept as part of Segedunum’s permanent collection, and film footage of the work will be displayed in London.
Opportunities in school
KS2 Guitar lessons
Choir
After school Art Clubs
Before school Dance Club
Community Projects
Whole class instrumental teaching
Live performances in school
Touring theatre companies
Summer show
Educational visits
Wallsend Online
Our award was celebrated in a feature by Wallsend Online, and you can read the article here: https://wallsendonline.co.uk/project/wow-well-done-western-primary-school/