Merstham Park School strikes gold

Staff and students at a Redhill school are celebrating after being awarded gold in the prestigious Artsmark Awards.

The award is given for celebrating arts, culture and creativity at the school, a member of the multi-academy GLF Schools. Merstham Park offers all its students a wide range of activities and opportunities both inside and outside the classroom.

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The process was started when the school first opened in 2018, and has seen innovations from yarn-bombing clubs to cross-faculty working to ensure arts provision is the best it can be.

“I am thrilled we have been awarded Artsmark Gold. This has been a collaborative effort across art, photography, drama, music, design technology and food to bring together a wide range of activities and opportunities,” said Head of Faculty for Performing Arts Lyndsey Harkness.

“This journey has been taking place since we opened in 2018 and we have been documenting our progress as we have grown in capacity and moved to the new building,” she added.

A statement from the Arts Council which makes the award said: “Despite encountering the challenges associated with your significant school expansion, the pandemic and the tragic passing of your head teacher during your Artsmark journey, you have clearly maintained your firm commitment.”

Specialist provision has been made in the school’s new building and includes an art room with ceramics and photography facilities, a music room and drama studio, IT suite and 3D printing. 

“You are seeing the value of the Arts with all stakeholders and the community. You are seeing the value of the Arts in fostering students’ personal, social and emotional development through your partnership with the local nursing home and youth centre,” added the Arts Council statement.

Visits to a variety of venues including the National Gallery and the Tate Modern coupled with the enrichment opportunities are highlighted in the feedback.

“Students enjoy regular opportunities to showcase their work in your annual dance show, instrumental concerts and the Merstham Park School talent show,” it added.

Forging links with Reigate and Surrey College is helping to highlight potential destinations once students leave Merstham Park School, while the school’s vocational offer has been boosted by introducing Music Technology as a subject.

The £23m new school buildings were officially opened in September 2022 after staff and students spent four years in temporary accommodation. Martin Beard, the school’s founding Head Teacher, died suddenly in 2020 at the age of 43. There is a permanent memorial garden for him at the school.