Hosting an arts festival in aid of a mental health charity has helped Sharnbrook Academy achieve the prestigious Gold Artsmark Award.
Artsmark is Arts Council England’s award for schools that champion cultural education, with Gold being the second-highest possible accolade.
The secondary school, which is part of Meridian Trust, achieved the award by hosting ‘MindFest’ to raise money for the mental health charity, Mind.
The festival brought together over 500 guests, six schools and featured individuals and community groups songwriting, dancing, acting, singing, rapping, and poetry
reading.
Melissa, a Year 11 student at Sharnbrook Academy, said: “Doing dance has allowed me to
become more confident and resilient, and it’s great to be able to express myself.”
Clare Raku, Principal of Sharnbrook Academy, said: “Each and every one of us at
Sharnbrook Academy are thrilled to have been awarded the Gold Artsmark Award.
“For us, the arts are not just subjects, they are a way of enhancing creative development and potential.
“But the hard work doesn’t stop now. We’re committed to continuing the delivery of high-
quality arts and cultural education for all of our young people – and we look forward to
continued progress with our Artsmark journey in the future.”
Sharnbrook Academy has also applied for funding from the Bedford Creative Arts
Education Innovation Strategic Group and joined the Bedford Arts and Cultural
Education (BACE) partnership alongside the University of Bedfordshire, Bedford Borough Council, local schools and colleges, and local creative and cultural providers.
As part of this initiative, students at Sharnbrook Academy presented research and case studies to delegates from Trinity College, the Royal Opera House and Bedford Borough, as well as headteachers from the area.
