Eleven Herefordshire schools have been awarded the prestigious Artsmark demonstrating that the county's schools have a strong commitment to developing dynamic arts programmes.
Artsmark is a national arts award that acknowledges all art forms from drama to music, design to literature, dance to sculpture. This year the number of schools in the county receiving awards is the highest ever, with seven schools achieving gold and the remaining four achieving silver as follows:
Gold award
Burley Gate CE Primary School
Fairfield High School
Kingsland CE Primary
Kington Primary School
Lord Scudamore Primry
Much Birch C of E Primary
Orleton CE Primary
Silver award
Barrs Court Specialist (SEN) School
Brockhampton Primary
Queen Elizabeth Humanities College
St Mary's Primary School, Credenhill
Sarah Laws, Arts Learning Officer, helps schools achieve their Artsmark by offering advice and guidance on application and assessment. She said: "This is a real cause for celebration. These schools have shown a genuine commitment to the arts and have demonstrated that they are concerned not only with academic success but also with the wider development of children and young people."
Angela Daniels, head teacher at Kingsland Church of England primary School, said: "We are delighted to have received this prestigious award. It affirms all the opportunities and skills that the children have in dance, drama, art and music. The arts give our school a real vitality and buzz."