At Riverside school we see the Arts (Art, Music, Drama and Dance) as an intrinsic part of school life. It is an area in which our pupils over time have achieved very successful outcomes, both in terms of formal qualifications and also with regards to self-esteem, communication, behaviour, independence, developing self-expression, and interests they take with them into adult life.

We are fortunate enough to have excellent facilities for the Arts and our dedicated specialist team we feel demonstrates are commitment to the Arts is above and beyond similar special schools in London.

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We take the view that all children can enjoy and achieve in the arts and that all children should have equal access to arts opportunities no matter what their style of learning or definition of need might be.

Lessons are taught by skilled and experienced practitioners who work from the child outwards, creating learning opportunities that can be sensory, skill-based, or conceptual. What children learn through the arts at Riverside is often transferable to other areas of their lives and indeed the Arts are often used to deliver other areas of the curriculum throughout the school.

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Outside of lessons we also capitalise upon the potential of the Arts as a therapeutic tool employing both Music and Arts Therapists to support our students with emotional need.

We work with a wide variety of external Arts organisations to bring the art to life for our young people, this can be regular performances from companies that come to the school. Visits to the theatre, cinema, museums, or Art galleries linked to the curriculum. Or our excellent offer of extra curricular activities that happen through team spirit or regular residential trips including trips both in the UK and Europe.

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Ryan McClelland 2024