A SECONDARY school in Rickmansworth has received one of the highest national accolades for it's provision of the arts.

Staff and students of Rickmansworth School, in Scots Hill, Rickmansworth, celebrated last week, when it was officially announced it was to receive an Artsmark Gold award.

The award, the highest to be presented by the The Arts Council, is designed to acknowledge and commend schools that demonstrate a commitment to providing opportunities across a varied spectrum of the arts, ranging from drama to music, design to literature, and dance to sculpture.

The scheme, which this year involved a total of 566 schools, encourages educational establishments to work in partnership with artists and arts organisations.

Headteacher of Rickmansworth School, Dr Stephen Burton said: "I am delighted that the Arts Council has recognised Rickmansworth School's progressive, well-balanced arts education programme, which enables pupils to work with local artists.

Chief Executive of the Arts Council,Mr Peter Hewitt said: "We are delighted with the overwhelming response Artsmark has once again generated from schools across the country.

"Artsmark celebrates the importance of the arts in education and rewards the commitment of schools to introducing children to the arts at an early age.

"We hope this interest will stay with them all their lives."

The school currently runs a wide range of art clubs/classes both during and out of normal school hours, as part of its ongoing commitment to obtaining DfES Arts College status.

Classes and sessions include a Year 9 street jazz workshop, and Year 10 theatre club, for which pupils have teamed up with outside organisations the Wisemoves Dance Company and the Trestle Theatre Company.

June 11, 2002 17:00