HARD-working North-East schools have been singled out for their high standards in arts education.

The Arts Council for England has handed a string of schools in the region an Artsmark award.

The awards recognise the work that schools do in all the arts, from design, music and dance to drama and sculpture. Schools can receive an ordinary mark, a silver grade or a gold mark.

Tollesby School, in Middlesbrough, was awarded a silver Artsmark in recognition of its sculptures, mosaic making, dance, ceramics and visiting artists.

Headteacher John Whittingham said: "We try to get a variety of visiting artists in the school to expand on the work that we already do.

"I think in a special school such as ours, art is really an alternative form of expression for these kids."

Other schools to benefit include:

Durham - Durham Trinity, Artsmark Silver; Bloemfontein Primary, Artsmark; Browney Primary, Artsmark Silver; Cassop Primary, Artsmark Gold; Hartside Primary, Artsmark Silver; Middleton-in-Teesdale Nursery and Primary, Artsmark Gold; Ox Close Primary, Artsmark; Rosa Street Primary, Artsmark; Seaham Parkside Infants, Artsmark Silver; St Joseph's RC Primary, Artsmark Gold; Wearhead Primary, Artsmark Gold; Belmont Comprehensive, Artsmark Silver; Bishop Barrington, Artsmark Silver; Durham High School for Girls, Artsmark Silver; King James I Community College, Artsmark Silver; Staindrop Comprehensive, Artsmark Silver; The Hermitage School, Artsmark Gold; Wolsingham School and Community College, Artsmark.

Hartlepool - Dyke House Comprehensive, Artsmark Silver.

Middlesbrough - Holmwood Special School, Artsmark Silver; Linthorpe Junior, Artsmark Silver; Ormesby Comprehensive, Artsmark Silver.

Newcastle - St Catherine's RC Primary, Artsmark Silver.

North Yorkshire - Norton College, Artsmark, Silver; Selby High School, Artsmark.

Redcar and Cleveland - Laurence Jackson School, Artsmark.

South Tyneside - King George V School, Artsmark Silver.

Stockton - Holy Trinity Junior, Artsmark Gold; St Joseph's RC Primary, Artsmark Gold; Blakeston Community School, Artsmark.

Sunderland - Barmston Village Primary, Artsmark Gold; John F Kennedy Primary, Artsmark Silver.

York - Archbishop of York Junior, Artsmark; Naburn Primary, Artsmark Gold; Park Grove Primary, Artsmark Gold; Scarcroft Primary, Artsmark Silver; St Paul's Primary, Artsmark Silver; St Lawrence's Primary, Artsmark Gold; Westfield Primary, Artsmark Silver; All Saints RC School, Artsmark Silver, Canon Lee School, Artsmark Silver.