One of the questions schools ask me most is ‘how can we make Arts Award fit with what we’re already doing?’ Happily, there are lots of examples to draw on. Arts Award’s flexible framework means schools run it within the curriculum, through enrichment, extra-curricular projects and targeted intervention programmes.
I’ve seen Arts Award’s popularity grow and grow in schools, despite recent changes in the arts education landscape. Of the 3,400 organisations delivering Arts Award to young people, over a third are schools, post-16 colleges and pupil referral units. In recognition of Arts Award’s growing impact, it is now part of the criteria for schools and other organisations to achieve Artsmark status: www.artsaward.org.uk/artsmark.
I believe there are three main concepts at the heart of Arts Award’s appeal.
Firstly, it’s not just Arts Award’s status as a national qualification that appeals to schools (Bronze, Silver and Gold are accredited at levels 1, 2 and 3 on the Qualifications and Credit Framework and Gold carries 35 UCAS points); it’s also the opportunity it gives students to develop their knowledge and skills without the pressure of a formal exam.
Indeed, many schools who deliver Arts Award find that students’ sense of ownership of their projects inspires more independent learning. Michael Humphrey, Head of Music at Hendon School in London, described it as ‘a privilege to watch pupils take the initiative and immerse themselves in
their own creative projects’.
Arts Award can also provide a structure for cross-curricular and enrichment projects. I’ve recently talked to schools who are building Media, ICT and Humanities into their Arts Award programmes, while the Shakespeare Challenge – an approach to the Bronze Award developed in partnership with the Royal Shakespeare Company – is used for creative exploration of Shakespeare’s language in English and Drama.
As well as the proven benefits for students, teachers tell me they also value what Arts Award brings to their own practice. Liane Shaw, Arts Award adviser at Havant Academy in Hampshire, feels that running the award keeps her passionate about her subject. She says: ‘Seeing what the students can achieve inspires you to be creative yourself.’ The creative approach to teaching and learning that Arts Award encourages, also appeals to those who may not think of themselves as artistic. I was particularly inspired by a student at The Trafalgar School at Downton in Wiltshire, who used the pattern of his tennis ball hitting a canvas to create a piece of abstract art.
With 2012 kicking off with some exciting developments, now is a great time to get started with Arts Award. In April, Trinity College London, which manages Arts Award in association with Arts Council England, will launch two new levels for students in Key Stage 2 and above, Arts Award Discover and Arts Award Explore. And during the Olympic year, young people will be able to take part in special Arts Award programmes, including one created for the World Shakespeare Festival.
Further reading
To find out more about the new Arts Award levels visit www.artsaward.org.uk/7plus.
For details of how you can benefit from the World Shakespeare Festival, www.artsaward.org.uk/wsf.
About the Olympics: www.artsaward.org.uk/2012w
And if you’d just like to get going, visit www.artsaward.org.uk/schools
or call Jodie on 020 7820 6177 to discuss how it could work for you.