A SCHOOL that is becoming a "fame academy'' showed off its pupils' talents yesterday.

Belmont School Community Arts College, formerly Belmont Comprehensive School, in Durham won specialist status in the performing arts from the Government early this year.

The school plans to build a £500,000 centre for music, dance and theatre, which could be open this time next year.

It welcomed parents, governors and members of the local community so they could see the school's 11 to 16-year-old pupils in action.

Performances included street dance, ceilidh music, a karaoke session while all departments were involved in some performing arts activity.

And there was an evening concert featuring everything from clog dancing to a brass ensemble.

A scene from Shakespeare's Macbeth was also performed.

School head Judith Wilkinson said: "It has been an all singing, all dancing day.

"The performing arts centre will have dance and drama suites and music studios with production and recording facilities. It is an exciting time for the school because it will offer more opportunities for pupils to be involved in both performance and technical activities.

"We are the highest performing 11 to 16 school in the county - 60 per cent of pupils get five A* to C passes - and we feel performing arts raises the esteem and achievement of students."