Scripts, scenery and soundtracks

About the school

This primary school is based in two old school buildings on either side of a road overlooking a large city in the north of England.

The school serves a community that is rich in cultural diversity and celebrates this through every aspect of school life. English is an additional language for nearly a third of its 172 pupils and both pupils and staff have a wide range of ethnic backgrounds. Around 40 pupils are on the school's special educational needs register and a similar number are eligible for free school meals.

The school's mission statement is 'Everyone is special', and this permeates every aspect of teaching and learning. One of the school's main aims is to develop the whole child through offering an enriched curriculum and a broad range of life experiences. To achieve this, it promotes creativity and independence across all areas of the curriculum.

In 2002, 65% of key stage 2 pupils achieved level 4 and above in the national curriculum tests for reading, 46% for writing, 62% for mathematics, and 92% for science.

The school has links with Excellence in Cities and is planning to apply for Artsmark.

Arts in the school

Creativity is central to the school's ethos and the arts are a key part of this. By giving all pupils opportunities to take part in exciting arts activities, the school aims to build their confidence, self-esteem and sense of achievement.

The school's cultural mix brings a particular richness to arts activities. Every year the school holds a One World day, when all pupils take part in cross-cultural arts activities as a way of celebrating difference and increasing race awareness. Parents, staff and outside agencies all come together to offer activities ranging from African dancing to sari painting.

The school encourages its staff to be adventurous in their approach to the arts, believing that teachers' creativity is reflected in pupils. To support this, it gives teachers the flexibility to take groups of pupils off timetable for half-days, whole days or even weeks at a time. This often proves particularly valuable for arts activities and has the full support of the senior management team and governors.

The school places a strong emphasis on music and provides funding for all year 3 pupils to learn the violin or cello. Pupils who show particular talent or interest then receive funding to continue learning an instrument until they leave the school.

All pupils are given the opportunity to see a live production -- either in school or off-site -- at least once a term. The school has good links with local artists, secondary schools and higher education authorities, all of which regularly support and enrich arts activities. Art, dance and drama clubs at lunchtimes and after school are well supported.