From talent performances to trying something new, TSArTs week offered something for all


The pop stars, poets and painters of the future enjoyed a week of creative activities during the Thinking Schools Academy Trust’s Arts week recently.

TSArTs week, which saw thousands of young people from across Plymouth, Portsmouth and Kent focused on making our young people think about the Arts and how it can support everyone’s development.

The five days formed one of the Trust’s #WeAreOne events which brings everyone together from all of our schools to achieve our mission to transform life chances.

We believe we have a responsibility to build our young people’s cultural capital as much as possible: this means offering opportunities for our young people to explore culture in its various forms, by immersing themselves in the Arts and learn about the world beyond their personal location and circumstances.

Artistic work from pupils was put on display within our virtual gallery too. With contributions from every school, so we’re proud about that.

In Kent, pupils from The Victory Academy became wordsmiths by producing poems to perform to their peers.

While in Devon, our students at The Plympton Academy were putting pencil to paper in the art rooms to create some stunning drawing.

Young people from The Portsmouth Academy, in Hampshire, impressed everyone with their musical performances throughout TSArTs week too.

By delivering these #WeAreOne events, we’re confident we will expand the cultural knowledge of our pupils by encouraging them to engage in new experiences.

TSArTs week plays a key part in supporting students with their personal growth and extends their knowledge beyond the taught curriculum.

Students from every school across our Trust received a Cultural Passport to encourage them to record and reflect their cultural experiences of the week.

The Passport included a range of activities for broadening student’s horizons and developing their skills.

In order to offer a full and enriching experience which builds cultural capital, the Thinking Schools Academy Trust committed to the Artsmark journey, ensuring the cultural and creative education we provide is broad, diverse and engaging… and it was exactly that!

As well as the delivery of numerous tasks throughout each day, the Trust held a Trust’s Got Talent competition too.

The contest was an effective way to bring people together, where winners will be announced within the next few days. Each school was able to submit a 2-minute video which formed the Trust’s Got Talent show.

Everyone within the Trust is able to vote for who they think is the best, with celebrity guest judge Ore Oduba ready to help in the final vote.

Ore said: “I’ve had the absolute honour of watching all of the entries for the Trust’s Got Talent and, listen, I am completely staggered by everything you guys have just achieved.

“What I could see from all of those entries is the dedication, the hard work – how hard that you have all rehearsed, the passion and the enthusiasm… and to do it at your ages, across primary and secondary is absolutely incredible. You should all be super proud of yourselves.”

As a former children’s presenter with experience in drama, dance and musical theatre, Ore is the perfect role model to judge our competition.

See the artwork from every school within our Trust by viewing our virtual gallery here.