Southfield School is proud to announce that it has been awarded the prestigious Artsmark Silver Award, recognising the school's outstanding commitment to arts, culture and creativity across the curriculum.

The award, presented by Artsmark and recognised by the Arts Council England, is valid until August 2028 and reflects the significant progress the school has made in developing high-quality arts education for all pupils.

The award follows a transformational period for the school, during which arts provision has been strengthened significantly. Assessors praised Southfield School's ambitious redesign of its Art and Design Technology curriculum, the introduction of clear skills progression pathways, the use of sketchbooks to support creative development, and the inclusion of a diverse range of artists and artistic influences.

Particular recognition was given to the school's investment in staff development. Through targeted professional development and collaborative support, teaching staff have developed greater confidence in delivering high-quality art education and a deeper understanding of the important role the arts play in children's learning, wellbeing and personal development.

The Artsmark assessors highlighted the positive impact of these improvements on pupils. Children's achievement in art has improved through the school's tracking systems, while pupil voice has become increasingly influential through school council participation and classroom feedback. Assessors noted that pupils are now actively seeking additional creative opportunities and are increasingly identifying themselves as artists.

The school has also expanded opportunities beyond the classroom. Over the last year, Southfield has introduced specialist workshops, developed cultural partnerships, launched its first art exhibition, and showcased pupils' artwork within the local community, including contributions to the Welwyn Hatfield Borough regeneration project. These initiatives have enabled children to share their creativity with wider audiences and celebrate the value of artistic expression.

As part of its growing reputation for creative excellence, Southfield School is also proud to be recognised as a Creative Arts Lead Music School in Hertfordshire, supporting wider arts development and collaboration across educational settings. 

In their feedback, Artsmark assessors described Southfield's progress as "very impressive" and praised the school's approach to curriculum development and professional learning as "a good model for planning developments in other arts subjects."

As a school we are absolutely delighted to receive the Artsmark Silver Award. This recognition reflects the dedication of our staff, pupils and wider community in ensuring that creativity and the arts are at the heart of learning at Southfield School. We are particularly proud of the way our children have embraced opportunities to express themselves, develop confidence and see themselves as artists. This award celebrates how far we have come, but it also inspires us as we continue to develop music, drama, dance and wider cultural opportunities for all our pupils.

The Artsmark Silver Award marks another significant achievement for Southfield School and reinforces its commitment to ensuring that every child has access to a rich, inspiring and high-quality creative education.