Private School News

St Joseph’s College, Ipswich, has achieved one of the Arts Council England Artsmark awards announced today. They join an elite band of East Anglian schools who already hold this specialist status.

Artsmark is the national arts scheme developed by Arts Council England in partnership with the Department for Culture, Media and Sport, the Department of Education and Skills, the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority and OfSTED. It encourages schools to demonstrate a commitment to developing their arts provision – from drama to music, art & design to literature, dance to sculpture. The scheme also encourages schools to work in partnership with artists and arts organisations. The Arts can transform lives raising aspirations and improving opportunities for young people and their local communities to engage with the arts is a key priority for the Arts Council.

Sian Grant, Principal of St Joseph’s College, said: ‘I am delighted that the Arts Council has recognised our outstanding arts provision which enables our students to work with national figures from the world of dance, drama, art and music.
Since 2001 the College has led cutting edge collaborative arts projects with local maintained schools. Recent projects have been funded by the DFES ISSP scheme, and have included a two year installation with renowned artist Liz McGowan and a film project led by Digital Artist David Blandy. St Joseph’s College is now working with internationally renowned choreographer Wayne McGregor and Random Dance on a 2 year collaborative Dance project under the auspices of Dance East.

This year marks the 12th anniversary of the Annual College Arts Festival, celebrating students’ achievements and creativity in music, dance, drama, poetry and the visual arts.
In addition to continuous development of the Arts, St Joseph’s College has established partnerships with The Royal Academy of Arts, Wallace Collection, New Wolsey Theatre, Cambridge Arts Theatre, Bassistry Arts and Midland Theatre Group. Their most recent collaboration is with Ipswich and District Photographic Society, the inaugural SNAP photographic competition was designed to encourage and inspire students to get creative whilst at the same time gaining invaluable experience. The competition is open to students aged four to twelve and thirteen to eighteen over three categories which are Landscape, Figurative or Creative.
Sir Christopher Frayling, Arts Council England Chair, said: ‘Warm congratulations to those who have been awarded Artsmark this year! The arts are for everyone and an Artsmark recognises the significant achievement of schools which are committed to putting the transforming power of the arts at the heart of their curricula – and at the heart of their school community.’