Swindon's Drove Primary School to Celebrate 2017 Arts Week

Swindon's Drove Primary School, one of the largest and most culturally diverse in the South West, is celebrating art and culture across a whole week from Monday 20 to Friday 24 February.

The school's 750 pupils will meet a wide variety of professional artists from Artsmad, Swindon's Cultural Education Partnership, as well as taking part in arts and craft workshops led by the school's own staff. Activities across the week include drama and lighting design with Prime Theatre, storytelling from Swindon Libraries, puppetry with the Wyvern Theatre and trips to Swindon's Museum and Art Gallery.

Helen Swanson, Drove's principal said, "The arts are proven to increase confidence, communication and community, all necessary skills for the future and rarely celebrated in today's busy education system. Each of Drove's children and staff has the most wonderfully creative minds, so this is a perfect way to celebrate that and learn at the same time."

Over 600 pupils will earn a Discover Arts Award - a national qualification, while nursery children will receive a special certificate.

Jade Poole, from RIO, added, "We are delighted that Drove are using Arts Award to give 600 pupils the opportunity to learn about the arts - growing and nurturing the artists and arts leaders of the future."

Drove Primary School is the largest school in Swindon with 750 pupils aged 2 - 11 years. It is an ethnically diverse school with over 39 languages spoken. Drove Primary is part of the White Horse Federation of schools. Prime Theatre is Swindon's only professional theatre company , supported by Arts Council England and the lead contact for Artsmad. Artsmad is one of 50 Cultural Education Partnerships across England. RIO is Arts Council England's Bridge Organisation for the South West, connecting young people with great art and culture.