Bourne Academy granted Arts Mark Platinum Award by Arts Council of England

Bourne Academy is one of only four schools in the East Midlands to be awarded the Arts Mark Platinum Awards for its commitment to the arts.

The title is granted by the Arts Council of England to schools which excel in their provision of artistic opportunities for young people.

Director of Arts, Emily Wilson, said: "We are very proud of this achievement, as it recognises the effort and expertise of our fantastic staff, students and partners."

The criteria for the award focus on offering inspiring and exciting opportunities and being inclusive for all.

The awards panel said: "This is a prestigious award which assesses schools’ arts provision and looks at the range and quality of opportunities students have to engage with the arts.

"The platinum level is achieved by very few schools and looks at the long term impact of the arts on students and the community.

“Bourne Academy is a vital arts anchor organisation for their local community, providing expertise to other local schools and an inspiring example of how arts and culture can be a vehicle for improving outcomes for young people.

"Of note is the in-depth collaboration with local schools, the use of pupil voice to develop the curriculum and improve how students respond to feedback, the ambassador programme and how arts support the curriculum."

One of the latest arts projects at the school is a performance of School of Rock.

Based on the hit film, the musical version follows a failed wannabe rock star who decides to earn extra cash by posing as a substitute teacher at a prestigious prep school.

While there she turns a class of straight-A students into a guitar-shredding, bass-slapping, mind-blowing rock band.

Three sell-out performances took place at the school this week.

Executive headteacher Lucy Conley was thrilled with news of the award.

She said: "The art, drama and music departments have all contributed in order for the school to be awarded Platinum Arts Mark, the highest level of this award.

"We see this as confirmation of our ongoing commitment to the arts at Bourne Academy.

"This is a great achievement with only very few schools achieving this award, which took two years to achieve."

The Arts Council of England added: "We celebrate your ongoing commitment to arts and cultural education and the opportunities stretching your whole setting.

"Your children and young people are offered equal opportunity to influence, lead, experience and evaluate a broad range of high-quality activities."