SENIOR SCHOOL

This week it has been announced that MSJ has achieved the highest Award offered to schools by the Arts Council, for dedication and commitment to the Arts – the Artsmark Gold.

As an audit of the arts in the school, for both juniors and seniors, the bid for the Artsmark Gold took almost a term to write. It talks not only about the broad range of curricular arts, but also all the extra curricular and cross curricular opportunities available on a regular basis for all girls to become involved with.

The final bid was very impressive, revealing the enormous strengths in the Expressive Arts work in the school - the creativity and artistic prowess. It discussed our extensive facilities, the skills and knowledge of our inspiring staff, the arts curriculum and academic strengths, the wide range of examinations on offer, the entitlement and provision for the girls.

Beyond the curriculum aspects, it looked at the partnerships with professionals from the arts sector, trips, clubs, arts societies, artistic visitors to the school and it considered the huge number of productions and exhibitions.

When seen as a whole the Artsmark bid is a formidable document. We can be proud at MSJ that we fulfilled all the criteria and the Arts Council recognised our achievements.

And what shines out? At MSJ we thoroughly enjoy the arts; we love the creativity and imagination they inspire, we love the way they help us to develop skills, self confidence and appreciation. We love the fact they warm the soul!

Mrs Juliet Fisher, Head of Drama