Pupils at Highfield Littleport Academy will have a brand new area to use during lunchtimes as well as new art work to enjoy thanks to a £600 donation from the Masons at Descensus Aquarum Lodge.
The academy, which is part of the Active Learning Trust, is a special educational needs (SEN) provision school for pupils with specific needs.
The generous donation arrived at a time when the academy sets out on its Artsmark journey, with a plan to develop the use of arts within the school environment.
Head of School, Yvonne Skillern, thanked the Masons at Descensus Aquarum Lodge, who are based in Ely, and said the donation would be put to good use to provide a new space for pupils to socialise and to create eye-catching art work.
Mrs Skillern added: “When the Masons at Descensus Aquarum Lodge approached us to see if they could assist us in any way in improving outcomes for pupils, it arrived at a most welcome time for the school.
“We now plan on creating a fenced seating area to give pupils a new option for where to sit with their friends at lunchtimes. We all know it has been difficult period during the pandemic so making sure we speak to each other and develop friendships is really important.
“We are also contacting local graffiti artists in the area to see if they can help to liven up our school walls with some vibrant art. We hope to involve the pupils with one current train of thought for it to be themed around our learning values which all have animals associated with them.
“The development of the arts and creating an additional social area for our pupils will have a huge impact on their progress.”
Artsmark was set up by Arts Council England to help schools to provide a good arts education, thereby unlocking youthful potential and increasing knowledge and understanding.
Mrs Skillern added: “We have just completed our statement of commitment for the Artsmark Award and our aim is to reach the Silver accreditation level within two years. There will be a lot of work ahead of us in order to achieve this but we welcome the challenge and hope to have lots of fun while we learn too.”
Descensus Aquarum Lodge meets at the Masonic Centre in Silver Street, Ely. The lodge often gives donations to local charities and organisations to support the positive they carry out.
More information on the lodge and others in the county is available on the Cambridgeshire Freemasonry website via https://www.cambridgeshirefreemasons.org.uk/
To find out more about Highfield Littleport Academy, visit: www.highfieldlittleport.org/
Press release from The Active Learning Trust
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