A NORTH-East school is one of the first in the country to receive an award recognising its high quality arts education.

Haughton Community School, in Darlington, has achieved an Artsmark Gold Award from the Arts Council of England.

The award recognises the wide variety of arts offered at the school, including drama, music, photography, poetry, dance and sculpture.

The scheme also aims to encourage schools to work in partnership with artists and arts organisations.

Shelagh Potter, headteacher at Haughton, said the school would be a specialist arts college from September, offering more opportunities for students to work with artists and musicians.

She highlighted the students' most recent achievement, participating in a workshop with Northern Sinfonia, which culminated in a performance at an outdoor concert in Darlington Market Square.

She said: "The Artsmark Gold Award is tremendous news for Haughton Community School. I am delighted that the Arts Council of England has recognised our progressive, well-balanced arts education programme."

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