A NUMBER of schools across Worcestershire have gained or retained the prestigious Artsmark status in the latest round of awards.

A total of 25 state schools in the county have been rewarded for their commitment to art, music, dance and drama. Eleven of these have picked up gold awards and another 11 have gained silver. Malvern St James School has also attained the national accolade.

Worcestershire now has more Artsmark schools than any other in the West Midlands and is third in the country only to Kent and Cheshire.

Stephen Belinfante, inspector for the arts at Worcestershire County Council, said: "Achievement and participation in the arts continue to be a major learning priority in Worcestershire schools.

"Those schools that promote and invest in the arts not only produce better learners, but also enrich the spiritual life of students and their families.

"Through the arts, pupils become creative and independent learners. If we just concentrated on data, performance tables, maths, science and English, we would not produce children equipped for learning in the 21st Century.

"It is no coincidence that so many Worcestershire schools are nationally recognised through this prestigious award."

The county council said it was all part of a planned and sustained effort to increase the artistic abilities of all county children.

Rosalind Hayes, headteacher at Malvern St James, said: "We are very proud of the arts education we offer at Malvern St James. The Artsmark award formally recognises the inspirational work and enthusiasm of our teaching staff and, of course, the creative talents of all our girls. I am delighted that the Arts Council has endorsed our work with this prestigious award."

Other schools that have either retained or gained Artsmark this year are: Bretforton First, Defford-cum-Besford First (Gold), St Barnabas First and Middle (Gold), St Richard's First (Gold), Bishop Perowne High (Gold), Stanley Road Primary (Gold), Ombersley Endowed (Gold), Hanley Swan; St Gabriel's with St Mary's Primary, Somers Park Primary (Gold), St Matthias Primary (Gold), The Chase High (Gold), Wyche Primary (Gold), Pitcheroak Specia, Alvechurch Middle (Gold), Beoley First (Gold), Birchensale Middle (Gold), Tardebigge First (Silver), Tenacres First, Charford First (Gold), Millfields First (Gold), North Bromsgrove High (Gold), South Bromsgrove High (Gold), Holywell Primary (Silver) and Meadows First (Silver).