On Friday I visited Waycroft Academy in Stockwood to congratulate them on their remarkable achievement of being awarded ‘Gold’ Artsmark status. As well as meeting with the school’s creative councillors, who told me about their ideas for arts activities during this school year, I was treated to some songs from their choir, and a drama performance based on Shakespeares’s ‘Twelfth Night’ – complete with expert pronunciation of Shakespearean words!

As well as showcasing their prowess in the arts, students gave me a tour around the school and showed me all the ways they’re contributing to a greener future, such as their vegetable patch, class eco-representatives, and their solar panels.