Pupils and staff at Huntingdon Primary School are celebrating after receiving a prestigious Gold Artsmark Award.

Artsmark is the only creative quality standard for schools, accredited by 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 pupil outcomes and wellbeing.

To achieve their Artsmark Award, Huntingdon Primary School had to develop their arts and cultural provision to embed a broad and ambitious curriculum. This was achieved by creating an overall plan that was committed to and delivered across the whole school.

The Artsmark assessor commended Huntingdon Primary school and said its “Artsmark criteria that come through as a particular strength include Children and Young People - the ways you are actively listening and giving them opportunities to lead their own learning in the arts.”

It also said “children are also feeling more confident and 87 per cent report that they feel engaged and confident in the arts".

On receiving the award, Ellena Reeve, art and design curriculum lead at the school said: “We’re extremely proud of achieving our Artsmark Gold Award.

"We are committed to delivering a high-quality arts education. Our Artsmark journey has transformed our school by fostering a culture of creativity and self-expression, where every pupil has found new ways to explore the arts.

"Our arts curriculum gives children the confidence to think outside the box, collaborate with their peers, and approach their learning with enthusiasm. The impact has been truly inspiring, both in and outside of their arts lessons."

Dr Darren Henley OBE, chief executive of Arts Council England, said: “I would like to congratulate Huntingdon Primary School on their 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.”