A GOLDEN seal of approval has been given to Stourport First School for its arts activities - and it is holding a special day for children to celebrate.

It is one of just three county first schools to receive an Artsmark Gold Award from the Arts Council of England for both curricular and extra-curricular work.

The school boasts art, drama and music clubs and its children perform widely both in and out of school in concerts and plays - and the aim is for each of the 220 pupils to take part in at least two performances a year.

Headteacher Liane Billingsley said the arts were central to the school.

"We think children develop a positive attitude to learning and improve their self-esteem through creativity.

"If they take part in lots of singing, dance and drama they learn to participate as individuals and cope together."

Mrs Billingsley said the children "cheered" when they heard and next Friday will be a "gold day" with the pupils dressing up in gold and taking part in special activities.

This was the first time the school entered the three-year-old scheme, which handed out a total of 274 gold awards to UK schools.