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The arts education offered by 377 schools has been recognised in the first round of Artsmark awards, the new national arts award scheme for schools run by the Arts Council of England.The aim of Artsmark, which celebrates schools that have made a strong commitment to the arts and have developed a nationally recognised range of arts provision for their pupils, is to encourage the raising of arts education standards, at the same time as raising the profile of arts education across the country.

In applying for Artsmark, schools undertake an audit of their provision to identify good practice, through which they can achieve Artsmark, or the higher awards of Artsmark Silver and Artsmark Gold.The awards are offered annually and are valid for a period of three years.

In total, 387 schools applied to be considered for Artsmark, many of them supported and encouraged by their Local Education Authorities. Following assessment and validation by education and arts professionals, the Arts Council of England has awarded 152 Gold Artsmark awards, 131 Silver Artsmark awards and 94 Artsmark awards.


Peter Hewitt, Chief Executive of the Arts Council of England, described the Artsmark award as symbolising the importance of the arts in education. He said ?It rewards excellence, endorses good practice and demonstrates that schools are concerned not only with academic success but with the wider development of young people. By encouraging arts activity in schools it is also building new audiences for the arts for the future.?The new Arts Minister,Tessa Blackstone, also welcomed the success of the first round of Artsmark, recognising that the scheme had helped to focus and galvanise arts activities at many schools, and sent a message to parents and the wider community that an Artsmark school is doing exciting work in the arts.

The closing date for the second round of Artsmark is in December. All schools, primary, middle, secondary, special, maintained and independent are eligible to apply. For details, t: 0800 0560 196, w: http://www.artsmark.org.uk