The Vision

Arts Colleges:

• raise attainment and the quality of teaching and learning in their chosen arts subjects for all their students, using this as a catalyst for whole school improvement;
• use the arts to improve learning in other curriculum areas and are lead practitioners in the use of specialist ICT as a means of enhancing learning in the arts and other subjects;
  
• nurture within their students a lifelong passion for, and appreciation of, the arts as both participants and discriminating audiences;
• are inclusive - promoting enjoyment of many different artistic forms and encouraging participation in a wide variety of artistic activity for all students;
  
• enable students to work in school with professionals from the arts and creative industries and to enjoy artistic experiences outside the classroom;
  
• maximise the opportunities for young people to achieve in the arts and progress into employment, further education/training and higher education in the arts according to their individual abilities, aptitudes and ambitions; and
  
• are committed to the professional development of staff in centres of excellence for the arts, sharing resources and developing and sharing expertise with other schools and their wider communities.

Arts Colleges:

• have significant (and increasing) numbers of students studying the specialist arts subjects - ensuring that learning in the arts is marked by creative rigour and discipline;
• place high status on vocational courses in the arts – considering how they might be utilised to engage a wider range of students;
• develop the artistic skills and understanding of teachers and make imaginative use of new technologies as a means of raising the quality of teaching and learning in the arts;
• explore the potential of the arts to enhance learning in other curriculum areas, and promote strong participation in extra-curricular arts activities;
• work with other schools and the wider community in sharing facilities, human and other resources with a view to developing learning opportunities in the arts, through partnerships with local, regional, national and international creative industries and arts institutions; and
• involve professionals from creative industries in school/community activities.