A THEATRE group that teaches scientific concepts through drama has been awarded Investors in People status.

Jack Drum Arts, of Barnard Castle, County Durham, is the only community arts organisation in the region to receive the accolade.

The award, which recognises how a company involves and enthuses its workforce, was presented to Jack Drum by Andrew Dixon, the North-East executive director of the Arts Council.

Mr Dixon said: "Investors in People is a national standard and what is unusual about this is it's a very small organisation.

"You have got to have a very strong commitment to training staff and developing staff."

The presentation coincided with the launch of an innovative partnership between Teesdale Comprehensive School, in Barnard Castle, which has science college status, and Jack Drum.

Artists from Jack Drum will be working with 20 pupils on a national Creativity Action Research Award. They will try to develop the pupils' understanding of thermal energy transfer.

The group's director, Jill Cole, said: "It's not a subject that lends itself naturally to drama, but we're hoping the process will engage those pupils who may not be over-excited by science and help them to understand the ideas - and, hopefully, we will all learn something too."

Headteacher Paul Harrison added: "We're very lucky to have such support from the community.

"Trying to use drama as a teaching aid is very exciting and quite unusual - and perhaps rather risky - but, hopefully, one that the students will remember."