crich area community news
It’s been a case of third time lucky for Mortimer Wilson School. After two unsuccessful bids to become a Specialist Arts College, the Department for Children, Schools and Families (DCFS) has finally announced that the school has met every requirement that enables it to be classified as a Specialist College in Performing and Visual Arts from September 2008.
The key factor in DCSF granting the new status has been a noticeable improvement in results across the whole curriculum. Headteacher Wendy Sharp said:
“The whole school is already working very hard to raise Literacy levels and we continue to find ever more effective and creative ways to lift the skills and self-confidence of our students. Now that we are to become a Specialist College we will have the much-needed funding to expand this recognised good practice and help the young people in Alfreton and the surrounding villages to experience higher levels of achievement and attainment. We are excited too that the work we already do with our many partner schools and the wider community can be considerably enhanced.”
The school has built up an outstanding 30-year reputation for Theatre Arts, led by Assistant Head Russ Singleton and Head of Arts John Connolly. Achievements in these areas are consistently high and the staff in the faculty play an increasingly significant role in raising motivation and aspiration among its students and staff.
Mrs Sharp adds:
“The new status also gives us the chance to continue to reinvigorate our school, which is already marching forwards at a pace. We’ll soon be talking about being rebuilt as part of the Government’s Building Schools for the Future scheme, but before that we’ll be looking to strengthen our growing reputation with capital investment in vital equipment as well as looking to re-launch the school with a new name and new uniform that better reflect the needs of the present and the future.”
Treasure Pleasure
Mortimer Wilson School’s news of their elevation to Specialist Arts College coincided with a successful two-night run of a self-produced Pantomime, Treasure Island.
The old art form was revived at the school by drama teacher Leigh Farrant, who only joined the school last September. He wrote the script and directed the show, which played for two nights to packed and appreciative audiences.
Excellent acting and wit by the bucketful merely confirmed that there is artistic skill in plentiful supply at the school.
Valerie Rodgers
Staff and students celebrate Mortimer Wilson’s success
Back Row (L to R): Russ Singleton (Assistant Headteacher), Kate Fitzpatrick, Wendy Sharp (Headteacher), Charlie Howe, Laura Sutton, John Connolly (Head of Art), Patrick Rix, Glyn Jones (Deputy Head)
Front: Heather Rogers, Elizabeth Bexton, Daniel Booth