There were smiles all round at Abbey College as staff and students celebrated being awarded a Gold Artsmark Award for their outstanding commitment to arts education.

Artsmark is Arts Council England’s accreditation granted to schools in the UK that champion cultural education. It celebrates schools that go above and beyond in promoting creativity, developing talent, and fostering an appreciation for the arts among pupils.

Andy Christoforou, headteacher at Abbey College, said: “Each and every one of us at Abbey College is thrilled to have earned the Artsmark Gold Award.

"We strive to provide an outstanding educational experience for all our students, where they feel valued, can learn and achieve the best of their abilities.

"This esteemed award is a testament to just that, reflecting our efforts and approaches to inspire the next generation of artists, performers, and art enthusiasts.

“This recognition reaffirms our commitment to the delivery of a high-quality arts and cultural education for all our young people, which motivates our students to thrive academically, artistically and emotionally.

"We look forward to continuing to empower our students and for them to unlock their potential in subjects they love, whilst also nurturing their wellbeing.”

In the journey towards achieving the Artsmark Award, Abbey College says it has developed the arts and culture provision at the school and embedded it in a "broad and balanced curriculum".

Abbey College boasts a high uptake of students embarking on their creative studies, with a selection of arts and culture subjects on offer, including acting masterclasses and 3D printing.

The school has also engaged with the Cambridgeshire Music Hub and with Ramsey Rural Museum to provide enriching visits that engross students in cultural experiences and encourage them to explore their artistic talents.

The college runs an Offer and Opportunity Programme (OOP) for students in Years 7 through to Year 10, aiming to ignite new passions and interests.