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Cragside Primary School shines with Platinum Artsmark Award

Cragside Primary School is celebrating a resounding success after achieving the prestigious Platinum Artsmark Award… the highest accolade in arts education! What a brilliant way to start the year.

This esteemed recognition, awarded by Arts Council England, signifies a profound commitment to fostering creativity and cultural learning within school, which we agree should be a priority for many.

Hard work, creativity and dedication shines through

The Artsmark assessor commended Cragside for its “visionary, ambitious leadership” and its strong connections with local artists and arts organisations. The school’s dedication to enriching the curriculum through the arts was particularly praised.

Head Teacher Rebecca Jackson expressed her delight, stating: “This incredible achievement reflects our whole-school commitment to embedding arts and cultural learning at the heart of everything we do. 

“It would not have been possible without the hard work, creativity, and dedication of every single staff member.”

Dr Darren Henley OBE, Chief Executive of Arts Council England, echoed the sentiment, emphasising the vital role of arts education in enriching the lives of children and young people. “Creative activities and cultural experiences open our minds to new possibilities and help us make sense of the world around us,” he said.

The Platinum Artsmark Award really does serve as a testament to Cragside Primary School’s dedication to providing a well-rounded education that nurtures creativity, imagination, and a lifelong appreciation for the arts.

Chris Zarraga, Director of Schools North East, said: “Huge congratulations to everyone at Cragside! This success serves as an inspiration for other schools in our region and beyond, showcasing the transformative power of arts education in creating a more creative and culturally rich future for the North East.”

Cragside Primary School is a Schools North East Partner School. If you’d like to find out more about our Partner School membership, click here.

We love to hear good news from North East Schools! To share your news with Schools North East, please tag @SchoolsNE on X (formley Twitter) or fill out this short form here.

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