A SCHOOL in Chard has achieved the Artsmark Gold Status for its “outstanding dedication to Arts Education”.

Holyrood Academy worked with Somerset Art Works and Culturally Chard to gain their Artsmark Gold Award – the only creative quality standard for schools and education settings, accredited by Arts Council England.

The award recognises Holyrood’s outstanding dedication to Arts Education.

Somerset Art Works is committed to supporting the development of young people’s artistic talent, working with schools, colleges, and cultural organisations to connect young people with great art and culture.

Somerset Art Works and Holyrood Academy have worked together on a number of creative projects, where students have had the opportunity to work alongside professional artists across a variety of mediums.

Beccy Swaine, Somerset Art Works, Culturally Chard lead arts partner said: “Over the last 3 years Holyrood Academy has engaged with Culturally Chard as a consortium member and delivery partner.

“Students have been involved in a number of different community projects celebrating Chard’s historic town centre including: The Banners of Chard, Window Wanderland, Water Histories, Chard Revealed, ChardCast the Spring Cultural Festival, and more.

“The school has been an enthusiastic partner and the pupils have fundraised for and devised their own film ‘It Starts Here!’ which is all about the town and part of the Culturally Chard programme.

Sam Davison, Holyrood Academy, said: “This is a fantastic achievement as few state secondary schools of this size achieve Gold status and we could not be prouder of the team.

“I want to thank Somerset Art Works and Culturally Chard for their support and investment of Holyrood over the last three years.

“The work we have completed together has been instrumental in helping us achieve the Art Council’s Gold Artsmark.”

Culturally Chard is the Chard High Street Heritage Action Zone cultural programme, funded by Historic England, Arts Council England, and the National Heritage Memorial Fund.

Find out more about Holyrood’s involvement in Culturally Chard and other cultural projects in the town: culturallychard.org