An inside look at the Bronze Arts Award

Bronze Arts Award promotional graphic featuring pupil artwork, theatre images and Swanmore College branding.

Swan Life Press takes a closer look at how pupils are developing creative skills, exploring live performances and working towards their Bronze Arts Award through Swanmore College’s Arts Award enrichment.

Alexis C (Y7) from Swan Life Press spoke to pupils and staff to uncover how Swanmore College’s Arts Award enrichment is helping young people explore creativity, take part in exciting projects and experience the arts beyond the classroom:

One pupil said that they attend the enrichment every Wednesday and stay in the same group throughout the year, unlike some other enrichments where groups change each term.

When asked what they were currently doing towards the Bronze Arts Award, they shared that they were writing in a book about art and recording their ideas and experiences. They added that they had been working towards the Arts Award since September 2025.

Pupils taking part in Bronze Arts Award enrichment activities, using theatre photographs and creative resources to build project work inspired by Matilda the Musical.

Bronze Arts Award pupils’ workspaces covered with theatre images, craft materials and scrapbook activities linked to Matilda the Musical.

They also talked about a recent project they were completing for Part B of the award, which focuses on exploring the arts as an audience member. As part of this, they visited the Mayflower Theatre to watch Matilda the Musical and were writing about their experience from the trip.

Close-up of Bronze Arts Award work featuring Matilda the Musical images, coloured paper and pupils’ creative scrapbook materials.

Alexis also interviewed Mrs Ostersen, Teacher of Art at Swanmore and lead of the Bronze Arts Award Enrichment:

"This is the second year doing it as an enrichment", Mrs Ostersen explained. "The first year we did it, we did it as an after-school club."

She went on to explain that alongside seeing Matilda the Musical pupils have done "lots of competitions" such as the one at Barton Peveril and are currently doing "a project with Hampshire Music Services."

Mrs Ostersen also described how the enrichment is organised, with trips and creative activities planned for pupils throughout the year. There is also a “Skill Share” project where primary school children are invited into the College to take part in workshops designed by the pupils themselves.

Overall, the interviews showed that the Bronze Arts Award enrichment gives pupils many opportunities to experience the arts, develop creative and leadership skills and take part in exciting projects and performances.

Article written by Alexic C (Y7) from Swan Life Press. Photos featured in this article were taken by Farriah W (Y10) from Swan Life Press.