A project aimed at fostering a love of the arts with Leicestershire’s children in care has achieved a prestigious award.
Leicestershire Virtual School has become one of the first virtual schools in the country to be granted a platinum Artsmark award.
The project has seen children and young people embrace a range of activities, including taking part in forest school sessions, attending theatre productions and developing their dance skills.
Run by Leicestershire County Council, the Virtual School works to support the education of more than 1,000 children in care and care leavers by supporting early years settings, schools, carers and social workers to help children and young people do their best.
This is a brilliant accolade and introducing and nurturing the arts in this way really brings learning to life.
Person:Councillor Deborah Taylor, lead member for children and families,
Hopefully this work will help our looked-after children and young people develop a life-long love of arts and culture.
Virtual school head teacher Donna Chapman said: “This has been an incredible journey in ensuring the arts become engrained in what we do in the virtual school.
“The arts bring a sense of belonging, lifelong friendships and trusting relationships that enable our young people to feel safe and heard and to express themselves through different ways.
“For some of our young people this opportunity has provided them with life enhancing opportunities and support.”
Artsmark is the only creative quality standard for schools, accredited by Arts Council England. It supports them to develop and celebrate arts and cultural education across the whole curriculum.
When considering the virtual school for the award, assessors noted a significant increase in the number of children and young people taking part in arts activities, as well as an increased sense of belonging and improved wellbeing.
Dr Darren Henley OBE, Chief Executive of the Arts Council, said: “I would like to congratulate Leicestershire Virtual School on their Artsmark award.
“Becoming an Artsmark school demonstrates that through offering a broad, ambitious and creative curriculum, young people have the opportunity to develop character and resilience, increasing their knowledge, curiosity and skills that will remain with them through to adult life.”