Durlston Arts Week connects with University
Durlston rounded off the dedicated Artsmark Celebration Week with a visiting performance from students at the Arts University Bournemouth.
Throughout the week children from 2 – 15 years were invited to try something new in many aspects of The Arts. A packed activity programme ran during breaks and lunchtimes and included activities such as a LAMDA (The London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art) taster session, Animation, Karaoke, Sewing, Ceramics and Face-painting. The week-long celebration saw many departments within the school recognise arts opportunities within their own subjects such as the science department running a session on Chromatography and Modern Foreign Languages offering the chance to explore French phonics through dance and story-telling. The Music department invited pupils to explore string and woodwind instruments as pupils visited the schools purpose built Music School to have a go. Senior musicians in Years 6 – 10 performed an evening recital for parents and friend as part of the week.
The week culminated with a visit from students at the Arts University in Bournemouth who inspired pupils in Years 7 to 10 with their touring performance of Romeo and Juliet. Additionally, the Durlston Year 10 Drama students and Drama scholars had the opportunity to learn more about the back stage aspects including stage direction, make-up and costume, lighting, stage combat, logistics and production.
Durlston’s Head of Art and organiser of the event Miss Weston, commented
“this has been a wonderful opportunity for all involved – a chance for pupils and staff to recognise and celebrate the impact of The Arts and to share the vast range of opportunities that exist within the creative industries. As a school we are currently working towards achieving an Artsmark Award to demonstrate the creative opportunities available at Durlston and our ongoing commitment as a school to embed arts, culture and creativity across the whole curriculum. It is wonderful to be able to identify and celebrate the key quality principles of Artsmark - such as ‘striving for excellence and innovation’ and ‘ensuring a positive and inclusive culture’ as they are very closely aligned to Durlston’s ethos and it has been great to be able to demonstrate this in such a tangible way.”
