Artsmark

“Imagination is the beginning of creation. You imagine what you desire, you will what you imagine, and at last, you create what you will.”

– George Bernard Shaw

The Arts at Clapgate

At Clapgate we greatly value the arts. 

We believe strongly in our arts provision and that is why we are working towards the Artsmark Platiunum Award. Artsmark is the Arts Council England’s flagship programme which enables schools to evaluate, strengthen and celebrate their arts and cultural provision. Artsmark contributes to the cultural aspect of Ofsted’s requirement that a ‘school promotes students’ spiritual, moral, social and cultural development.’

At Clapgate we endeavour to do just that.

Art, music and drama are an integral part of our school curriculum. The arts are taught as distinct subjects in a skills-based manner. Experimentation, risk and innovation are actively encouraged. A great deal of time and energy is focused on the creative journeys that children explore. Our intention is to create confident, independent artists who can articulate and value their own creative journeys whether that be in art, music, drama or dance. 

We are fortunate to have a specialist art teacher and the fantastic facility of a large, well-resourced art room where children can use a variety of materials to explore their ideas and creativity. Children from reception up to year 6 can work in this fabulous environment exploring: painting, drawing, textiles, printing, sculpture and collage.

Our children are enthusiastic musicians and we offer a wide range of opportunities in music. All classes enjoy active lessons using the boomwhackers and are taught by a music specialist. Singing sessions are lively and allow our children to explore a wide range of different musical genres. In addition to this, we have peripatetic teachers who deliver guitar and keyboard lessons.

Our children are fantastic performers and drama is at the heart of our curriculum, with children enjoying regular ‘Imagineering’ sessions as well as teachers using a range of drama tools effectively in lessons. We have a great working relationship with ‘Alive and Kicking’ and have developed specialist units with them for our children. A highlight of the year is our (West End standard!) musical production which takes place in the theatre at Cockburn High School with full lights, costumes and special effects. Our younger children also get the opportunity to perform in a Christmas show, which is greatly
received by audiences.