As we look back to obtaining our Art Status, it is truly amazing to see how the school has moved on from the original plans and dreams.  We can be very proud of the range of Arts on offer both to our students and the wider community.

Our School is alive with exciting projects and initiatives.  Arts Status gives the opportunity for professional artists-in-residence to work with our students in all fields of the Arts.

Arts clubs flourish at all levels and provide opportunity for all students throughout the school.  Whether it is in the Steel Pan, Orchestra or Junior choir, in fashion shows, in full musical productions, in street or contemporary dance, art workshops or textiles, Shakespeare or Ayckbourne, Theatre trips or Concert tours, there is always something new, exciting and stimulating to experience.  We believe that the Arts enrich the experience and enjoyment of the school.  They challenge creativity, instil self-discipline and therefore support the progress and achievement of our students.

Taking the Arts into the community is an important feature of our work.  SJF students willingly share their talents with children at other schools and links are strongly encouraged.  We have recently formed a community choir for adults who are interested in singing for pleasure.  Local groups such as the White Rose Concert Band and St Andrew’s players share our facilities.  We have also developed links with The North Yorkshire Business and Education Partnership and devised performances for major presentations on the theme of Enterprise at York Railway Museum and The Royal Hotel, Scarborough.

Members of the school look forward to annual educational tours abroad.  Recent venues include Canada, Prague and Venice.  Who can forget the marvellous performance by our Choir at St Mark’s in Venice?  Future tours are being planned to far off places such as New York and Greece.

We operate an inclusive philosophy allied to an expectation of high standards.

Not surprisingly, our commitment to the Arts was recently recognised by The Arts Council of Great Britain, after completing a major audit and we received the Artmark Silver Award.

As a team, we look forward to working in partnership with both new students and parents in our commitment to deliver a rich and diverse Arts Education.  This year we are performing two musicals, “We Will Rock You” and “Joseph and His Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat” at the Royal Hall in Harrogate.