Atkinson Road Achieves Artsmark Platinum Award

Atkinson Road Primary Academy has been awarded the Artsmark Platinum Award 2026, the highest level of the national award recognising commitment to arts and cultural education.

The award recognises the Academy’s sustained work to make creativity and culture an important part of pupils’ education, supporting inclusion, aspiration, confidence and high-quality learning.

Throughout its Artsmark journey, pupils have worked with professional photographers, poets, musicians and artists, alongside cultural organisations including Baltic Centre for Contemporary Art, Royal Opera, Northern Stage, Foundation Press and Music Partnership North. These partnerships have provided opportunities to take part in exhibitions, performances and public showcases, explore different art forms and work alongside creative professionals.

Ensuring these experiences are accessible to all pupils has been central to the Academy’s approach. Free transport and tickets have helped remove financial barriers, giving children and families the opportunity to take part in cultural experiences they may not otherwise have been able to access. This includes pupils from newly arrived, refugee and Roma communities.

Pupil voice has also played an important role. Art Ambassadors have interviewed artists, while pupils have curated exhibitions and acted as guides for visitors. Their feedback has helped shape the creative offer, including the introduction of dance in response to pupils’ interests.

Creative projects exploring migration, belonging and local identity have given children opportunities to share their perspectives, celebrate their communities and develop confidence and leadership skills. This reflects the Academy’s commitment to ensuring arts and culture are not simply additional activities, but an important part of how pupils learn, express themselves and understand the world around them.

Artsmark Platinum recognises the value of this sustained approach: building relationships with artists and cultural organisations, giving pupils an active role in their creative experiences and making sure that all children have opportunities to participate and develop their interests and talents.

The achievement reflects Atkinson Road’s commitment to Extraordinary Education and the important role that arts and culture can play in pupils’ wider development. Through creative projects, children can also develop Skills Builder attributes such as creativity, teamwork, speaking and listening, which support learning across the curriculum and are valuable in everyday life.

Congratulations to the pupils and colleagues at Atkinson Road, alongside the families and creative partners who have contributed to this achievement.