Introduction

On 14^th January 2000, Secretaries of State Chris Smith and David Blunkett announced Artsmark, a new national arts award for schools. Artsmark, modelled on the successful Sportsmark, will be benchmark of excellence for schools to aim for and a symbol of recognition when they achieve it. An Artsmark will be awarded by the Arts Council of England following a school-led application process, supported by assessment and validation by education and arts professionals. The Arts Council of England will be responsible for management of the scheme.

Artsmark aims to:

encourage schools to raise standards of arts education provision in the curriculum and in out-of-lessons activities

raise the profile of arts education nationally – within schools, within arts organisations, and within communities

The objectives of the scheme are to:

recognise, promote and disseminate good practice in arts education provision

extend arts education opportunities for young people in schools

encourage effective partnerships between schools and arts practitioners and arts organisations

Development of Artsmark has been led by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport, in partnership with the Arts Council of England, the DfEE, OfSTED, QCA and Sport England.

Throughout the year 2000 wide ranging consultation has taken place with the education and arts sectors. A pilot scheme has been tested out by 40 schools, many of which were in the LEAs of Coventry City Council, Devon County Council, Durham County Council, the London Boroughs of Croydon, and Hammersmith and Fulham, and Northamptonshire County Council. Teachers from infant, junior, primary, secondary and special schools have fed back their views, and helped shape the final scheme.

Outline of the scheme

Artsmark will:

be available for all schools, primary, middle and secondary, special, maintained and independent, on a voluntary basis

be available at three levels, Artsmark, Artsmark Silver, and Artsmark Gold

last for three years, although schools can apply for an upgrade at any application date

be offered on an annual basis

 

Applying for Artsmark

There will be separate application forms for primary (with middle schools), secondary and special schools. The criteria will be broadly the same for each phase, with some minor adaptations to give special schools more flexibility. Application forms will be available in hard copy and on-line. There will be a separate guidance document for each application form, which will include examples of good practice from many of the pilot schools.

Key criteria

To complete an application, schools will need to carry out a detailed audit of arts education provision. They will be asked for information about:

management of the arts, including their arts policy for all the arts in school

time allocated to the arts in lesson time

opportunities for pupils to share and celebrate their creative achievements

out-of-lessons arts activities

partnerships with artists and arts organisations

opportunities for the continuing professional development of teachers

Schools will also be asked to describe their development targets for the arts, and the names of two independent referees to endorse their application.

Key dates

The Artsmark award scheme will be launched in early January 2001. The closing date for the first round of applications will be 5 March 2001. The first awards will be made in July 2001.

Registering interest

Any schools wishing to register their interest in the scheme should send details of a named contact, the full name, address, telephone number and e-mail address of their school to artsmark@artscouncil.org.uk.

Web Sight artsmark

Helpline 0800 0560 196

Please note whether your school is primary, middle, secondary or special. Schools registering their interest will be sent an application pack in January 2001.