The Arts

 At Athelstan we ensure that our children embrace all aspects of the National Curriculum, We believe that all children have the entitlement to a broad, balanced, creative and coherent curriculum. The arts, sports, music ,humanities and science are all encouraged and explored through different styles of learning . The Arts have always been an incredibly important part of the school ethos, life and enjoyment at Athelstan. It is intrinsic part of our creative curriculum and we aim to empower children to enjoy the art in a range of fields to ensure that they leave our school as well rounded individuals. Recently our Year 6 pupils worked with a photographer to develop their digital media skills.

We have put on a variety of productions and some children have taken part in the annual art exhibition.

In January  2020 we took a large number of children (160 ) to the Young Voices Concert in Sheffield

Each Year we hold Arts Week 

During Arts week  in  2020 we recreated the Big Picture of Vincent Van Gogh's Sunflowers'. A masterpiece recreated by 12 of our classes from Year 1 to Year 6. We have a number of children with a variety of special needs ranging from cognitive to physical and sensory. Our inclusive practice ensures that they are able to access the arts and all the opportunities that it brings.

Pupil achievements are celebrated year round through our displays, class assemblies and Arts weeks. We are also involved in the Cape UK’s Arts Award projects. The Year 4’s are entered for Arts Award Explore and the Year 6 for Arts Award Bronze.

Arts Award is managed by Trinity College London in association with Arts Council England. The award is a personal learning programme which develops and assesses both arts-related and transferable skills, such as creativity, communication, planning and teamwork.

Arts Award is a range of unique qualifications that help to support our children to grow as artists and arts leaders, inspiring them to connect with and take part in the wider arts world through taking challenges in an art form - from fashion to digital art, pottery to poetry.

Young people get to:

• discover the enjoyment of creating and participating in any art form
• develop their creativity and leadership skills
• learn new skills and share them with others
• the may get to work with or experience working with creative arts professionals

To achieve their Arts Award, young people take on challenges in an art form, participate in arts activities, experience arts events, get inspired by artists and share their arts skills with others. Young people create a portfolio to keep a record of their creative journey. Along the way they are supported by an Arts Award adviser, acting as assessor, facilitator and mentor.

 Athelstan also celebrates the diversity and artistic strengths of it’s pupils by holding an annual arts exhibition. Every class has entries and children, parents and visitors can vote for their favourite piece. The winner receives a trophy for being the ‘Artist of the year’

Athelstan values the arts and how it can help pupils become confident and rounded individuals.