Education VIP to open Didcot Art Room at Aureus

A top name from the world of education will be at Oxfordshire’s Aureus School to officially open the Didcot Art Room, part of a national charity promoting mental health issues in young people.

Sir John Dunford, former National Pupil Premium Champion, will be cutting the ribbon and giving a speech to mark the occasion on Tuesday, October 10 from 5pm.

He was in the independent role from 2013 to 2015 when he worked with schools, trusts and local authorities on the effective use of the Pupil Premium, money allocated to raise achievements of disadvantaged students. He has also written  on the subject extensively, is an education consultant and was knighted in 2014 for services to education.

The Art Room is a charity which aims to boost children’s wellbeing and works within both primary and secondary schools to help students who may face emotional challenges.

“Our work has real impact. When children come to The Art Room their emotional and behavioural difficulties are making it hard for them to cope at school. Most return to the classroom feeling more self-assured, socially skilled and far better equipped to learn,” said Lisa Harker on behalf of the organisation, which has the Duchess of Cambridge as a royal patron.

The Art Room is working in partnership with more than 40 schools, helping more than 500 young people a week and Aureus will be home to its ninth studio where students can use professional-grade materials to transform everyday objects into unique, creative artwork which they can take home.

“Children with poor mental wellbeing find it harder to learn, to develop healthily and form relationships. With 75 per cent of mental ill health beginning before a person is 18-years-old, improving mental wellbeing in childhood is essential.
“We intervene early on, working with schools to identify children who could benefit from our work. We then offer non-stigmatising, cost-effective support in the place children already spend their day,” said Lisa.

The newly-opened Aureus School, a member of the multi-academy GLF Trust, on Great Western Park and welcomed its first students through the doors at the beginning of this term.

Executive head teacher Hannah Wilson said both she and her team were delighted that The Art Room was going to be very much a part of the Aureus family.

“We have a holistic approach at Aureus which includes a wellbeing programme to develop mindfulness strategies. We see The Art Room as being an integral part of the environment we are developing for our students. We will nurture each of our students so that they can all thrive and become confident, articulate and aspirational citizens,” she said.

“We are all looking forward to having Sir John Dunford at Aureus as he is such a well-known figure within the world of education.”

The school, a member of the multi-academy GLF Trust, offers a range of holistic experiences from art therapy to yoga and family dining experience and will also have a resident artist.