SIX County Durham schools have been praised for their creative teaching of the arts.
Inspectors from Ofsted visited 43 schools across the country that had been identified as likely to exemplify good practice.
Creative teaching and innovative approaches were seen in subjects such as art, music, dance and drama as well as traditional lessons such as history and English.
The inspectors said, in a report, that creative work in the schools visited was at least good and about 20 per cent was exceptionally good.
Chief Inspector of Schools David Bell said: "The report is proof that teachers are taking creativity seriously and acknowledging the importance of innovative activities in the classroom.
"Crucially, we have found that such an approach can help to motivate and inspire young people at the same time as promoting high standards in their work.''
The schools visited were Wingate Nursery School, Trimdon Grange Infant and Nursery School, Wingate Infants School, Easington Colliery Primary School, Middleton-in-Teesdale Nursery and Primary School and Wearhead Primary School.
A Durham County Council spokeswoman said: "Schools in County Durham are always involved in lots of creative work but it is always pleasing to see good work recognised by a body such as Ofsted.''
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