NINE Wear Valley schools have proved they are on top form when it comes to arts education.

The Artsmark awards from the Arts Council of England celebrate schools that have made a strong commitment to the arts, from drama to music, design to literature, dance to sculpture.

There are three awards recognising different levels of commitments to the arts - Artsmark Gold, Artsmark Silver and Artsmark Bronze.

Artsmark Gold winners included St Joseph's RC Primary, Coundon, and Wearhead Primary School.

Wearhead has only 40 pupils, but they take part in many drama and music productions, and produce their own newspaper, called the Dale Mail. They installed a totem pole at the entrance to the school, and their latest project, an outdoor story seat and sensory garden, is to be unveiled later this term.

Pupils join in with the Weardale Cloggers dance group and the Weardale Whackers music group. The school is a member of the Creative Arts partnership and works with the Co-Musica project.

At St Joseph's, teachers have found that achievements in the arts world have raised standards across the curriculum.

Headteacher Stefa McManners said: "For a lot of children the only experience of live theatre and music is at school and they really make the most of it. We have live performances in the school and the artists often lead workshops with the children. We find it encourages children's literacy work and raises standards generally.

Silver award winners included Hartside Primary School, Crook, and Bishop Auckland Schools King James I Community College and Bishop Barrington School. Pupils from the senior schools teamed up for a project at the National Glass Centre in Sunderland working with glass artist Goshka Bailek to produce sculptures.

Ed Lott, headteacher of King James, which also won Sportsmark status, said: "I am very proud of our pupils and staff who have worked so hard to raise standards across the college.

"King James is a buzzing place to be these days, we're moving towards International Schools status and received the healthy Schools award."

Bishop Barrington's headteacher Keith Cotgrave said: "The school is traditionally strong in performing arts so it is wonderful that the staff who work so hard are recognised with this award.

Ordinary Artsmark awards went to Wolsingham School and Community College as well as Ox Close Primary and Rosa Street Primary schools, both in Spennymoor.

Zoe Birkett, finalist in the ITV Pop Idols, presented the awards.