ONE of Suffolk's smallest schools has been given a top award for its excellence in the arts - and has received Artsmark Gold status.Nacton Village Primary School is celebrating the national award made by the Arts Council England to recognise schools with a high level of provision in art, dance, drama and music.

ONE of Suffolk's smallest schools has been given a top award for its excellence in the arts - and has received Artsmark Gold status.

Nacton Village Primary School is celebrating the national award made by the Arts Council England to recognise schools with a high level of provision in art, dance, drama and music.

The school of 83 pupils completed an extensive audit for the application process to show its commitment to the arts and was visited by an Arts Council assessor who interviewed the school council as well as many people involved with the school.

Headteacher Elizabeth Ditton said the award recognised the school's commitment to giving all their children a wide range of arts experiences - including out-of-hours activities, visits, and partnerships with artists and performers and a variety of organisations.

These included the school's weekly circus skills workshops, brass band tuition, and whole school drama productions to working with professionals who visit the school for special days.

This week an engraver from Handmade Places worked with the children to transfer their mini-beast drawings on to their new seating maze in the playground.

Mrs Ditton said: “We are delighted to have the commitment of our whole school community recognised with an Artsmark and thrilled to have the award of Artsmark Gold!

“For a small school, it is a major achievement.”

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