ARTISTIC children and teachers have helped their school to pick up a national accolade.
Abbey Junior School, in Darlington, is celebrating after receiving the Artsmark Gold Award, the top honour in a scheme run by Arts Council England.
The award covers every aspect of the arts from music and dance to crafts and drama.
Schools across the country were invited to apply for one of three categories of the award - the basic Artsmark award, silver or gold.
Abbey decided to go for gold, completing a 70-page document on the importance of arts in the school and impressing a visiting assessor.
Headteacher George Ford said: "We have always been committed to the arts at Abbey and this award is excellent recognition of this fact.
"Our staff work hard to develop the arts within each child and activities such as music, dance and drama are extensively timetabled.
"By involving children in the arts, it helps to stimulate their creativity and increase their confidence."
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