FOUR schools have earned quality awards for their out-of- school activities.

Seaham Deneside Junior School, Easington Community School, Deerness Valley Comprehensive and King James I Community College, Bishop Auckland, received the Quality in Study Support Award last night.

The award is graded in categories of "emerging", "established" and "advanced".

Seaham Deneside is the only primary school in the country to gain the "established" award. Easington has achieved the same level, while Deerness and King James I achieved "emerging" status.

All four have been working since September 2001 to gain the award. This included assembling a portfolio of activities which was assessed by "critical friends" and scrutineers, and a presentation about why they should receive it.

King James I Community College is involved in a successful community drama programme with the Bishop Auckland Theatre Hooligans group.

Deerness has, since 1997, operated a partnership with Durham University Student Community Action in which students volunteer to take part in activities ranging from one-to-one tuition to helping with sport and music.