Stevenage school receives top arts award for creativity

Roebuck Academy has been awarded the Artsmark Platinum - the highest level of the Artsmark Award that can be achieved.

The whole school took part in the exhibition. (Image: Roebuck Academy)

The Artsmark Award, accredited by Arts Council England, supports schools to develop and celebrate arts and cultural education, putting creativity and wellbeing at the heart of the curriculum.

Pupils at Roebuck Academy wowed their school community this month with an art exhibition to showcase an array of sculptures created by the whole school.

The whole school took part in the exhibition. (Image: Roebuck Academy)

The exhibition included sculptures made from natural materials, including clay, willow and paper, and was the result of Roebuck Academy’s annual arts focus activities, featuring sketchbook and artwork development sessions with teachers and artist Amanda Jewitt, of Primart Installations.

In addition to studying artists from a wide range of backgrounds and developing their sculpting skills, pupils developed knowledge about how art is used to raise awareness about a range of themes, including sea-life protection, biodiversity and migration.

The children have experimented with a variety of different techniques. (Image: Roebuck Academy)

Art subject lead Ismerelda McAnuff said: "We are dedicated to developing the cultural capital of every child at Roebuck and have received lots of positive feedback from pupils, staff and families following these events which complement these aims.

"We fully appreciate the fantastic opportunity that we have at Roebuck to work with professional artists like Amanda Jewitt.

There were colourful displays throughout the school. (Image: Roebuck Academy)

"Staff and pupils have shown great dedication and passion throughout the arts focus activities this year, and the high-quality artwork created, coupled with the support from the whole school community, is a shining example of this."