HESKETH Fletcher CE High School has achieved one of the 775 Artsmarks awarded nationwide.

In this third Artsmark round, 203 schools achieved Artsmark, 298 Artsmark Silver and 274 achieved Artsmark Gold status.

Arts Council England's Artsmark award recognises schools that demonstrate a commitment to providing opportunities across all artforms from drama to music, art and design to literature, dance to media studies. The scheme also encourages schools to work in partnership with artists and arts organisations.

Head teacher at the Atherton school, Dr Ted Walker, said: "I am delighted that the Arts Council has recognised Hesketh Fletcher CE High's progressive, well-balanced arts education programme which enables pupils to work with local artists."

"There is a huge amount of arts activity going on here. For example, some of our pupils have been working with Ann-Marie Quinn, a practising artist. Others have been working with Chris Perry, an African music specialist and Year 10 pupils performed at the Octagon Theatre after liaising with Up Front Theatre Company. "A culmination of this year's work is a "Showcase", scheduled for the end of the summer term. A big thank you to staff for all their hard work in achieving this award!"

Peter Hewitt, Chief Executive of Arts Council England, said: "Now in its third year, Artsmark continues to go from strength to strength. Our belief is the arts have the power to transform lives, and that dynamic arts experiences offered by schools have a lasting impact on young people."