From September 2008 King Ethelbert School became a Visual Arts Specialist School.  We are very excited by, and committed to, the opportunity that specialist status in the visual arts, with the lead subjects of art and design, English and ICT, will provide for raising academic standards and achievement, both within our own institution and with our partner schools.  King Ethelbert School is recognised within the Thanet and Kent community for the high quality of its work within the visual arts and importantly in developing creativity.  We have successfully led Thanet schools through the gateway bidding process for the 14-19 Creative and Media diploma this year and will continue our leadership of this as we progress towards delivery in September 2009.  We firmly believe that the many benefits of specialist status and the exciting plans we have will enable standards of achievement to be raised further.

The importance of our vision is perhaps encapsulated in Professor Robinson's words:

"Now more than ever, it is vital to encourage all areas of young people's intellectual and personal capabilities and to recognise that doing this is not at odds with academic development.  The greatest disincentives to acheivement are low self-esteem and lack of motivation.  Creative and cultural programmes are powerful ways of revitalising the sense of community in a school and engaging the whole school with the wider community".

Through our visual arts action plan we seek to:

• develop skills of creativity and innovation through the promotion of individual expression.
• promote higher order and critical thinking skills through self evaluation.
• enhance ability to problem solve by increasing the awareness of alternative possibilities.
• develop the ability to take responsibility through the sense of ownership.
• promote communication and expressive skills through visual experimentation.
• encourage the qualities of leadership through group work and self-progression.
• raise the importance of taking initiative through the recognition of success.
• encourage entrepreneurial skills and qualities by ensuring projects are vocationally relevant.
• develop skills in visual, oral and technical presentations through sharing success with others.
• develop skills of perceptual and spatial awareness through visual and imaginary expression.
• develop independent learners and practitioners by promoting self motivation and evaluation.
• develop confidence and self-esteem through promoting and valuing individual creativity.
• raise senses of enjoyment, excitement and fulfilment in order to achieve self-satisfaction.

Our aim is to enable all our learners to transfer these skills to other areas of study, both within and beyond school, and ultimately in the world of work.  We recognise how these will support our learners in meeting the needs of industry and the workforce of the 21st Century.

Alongside this King Ethelbert School has a longstanding commitment to community education and lifelong learning.  The visual arts plan identifies our commitment to collaboration and real partnership within our community to raise standards, aspirations and quality of life.  We will offer training and recreational opportunities to parents, families, teachers, businesses, and identified groups and schools within our local community.  Our vision is that King Ethelbert School will be seen as a vibrant centre that offers programmes of learning and recreation to meet the community's needs.

In conclusion, we believe passionately that through our visual arts specialist status we will continue to significantly raise standards in our young learners and within our community and that these will in turn raise aspirations, fulfilment and ultimately quality of life.