£40m initiative gives youngsters better access to the arts

The North-East has been awarded £4m after securing two of 16 Creative Partnerships which will see schools forging contacts with a host of artistic organisations.

The aim is to foster better relations between schools and arts organisations including architects, theatre companies, museums, cinemas, historic buildings, dance studios, recording studios and web designers.

The initiative, which had its regional launch at Greenfield School Community and Arts College, in Newton Aycliffe, County Durham, yesterday, is backed by the Government and the Arts Council of England.

More than 40 schools have been chosen to benefit in two grouped areas - Durham/ Sunderland and Tees Valley.

Children will get the chance to work in creative situations they may not have tried before, such as fashion design, radio and television writing and choreography.

Teachers will also benefit from the initiative and learn new ways of working creatively in the classroom.

Wearhead Primary School in Weardale, County Durham, one of the smallest schools taking part with 37 pupils, held its own launch yesterday with the help of American song and dance group Amidons.

* Schools taking part include: Durham/Sunderland - Belmont, Bishop Barrington Comprehensive, Seaham Deneside Infants, Easington Colliery, Glendene, King James I, Middleton-in-Teesdale Primary, Oakley Cross Primary, Peases West Primary, Shotton Hall Comprehensive, Staindrop Comprehensive, Westlea Primary, Wolsingham, Davenport Special, Barnes Infants, Broadway Junior, Barmston Village Primary, Bexhill Primary, Monkwearmouth, Southwick Primary, Washington.

Tees Valley - Grange Primary, Lynnfield Primary, West View, English Martyrs, John Emmerson Batty Primary, Normanby Primary, Wheatlands Primary, West Redcar, Hall Garth, Linthorpe Junior, Easterside Primary, Tollesby, Holy Trinity C of E Junior, Egglescliffe, Bishopsgarth, Oaktree, Haughton, Beaumont Hill Special, Mount Pleasant Primary, Corporation Road Junior.