HREOD Parkway has become one of the first schools in Swindon to be awarded the prestigious Artsmark.

The award recognises schools that demonstrate a commitment to providing opportunities across all the arts from drama to music, design to literature, dance to sculpture. Andrew Fleet, headteacher of the school in Moredon, was overjoyed at the result.

He said: "This award is a real accolade and is witness to the developing quality of our work across the arts, and the commitment and dedication of teachers and pupils.

"A big thank you goes to all of our staff for their hard work in achieving this award.

"We will continue to build on our success and the opportunities for our young people."

The scheme encourages schools to work in partnership with artists and arts organisations. Hreod has its own Artist in Residence, it recently put on a production of The Boyfriend, and a group of year seven pupils have worked with Roger Day and Julianne Worrall Hood in a workshop based around the etchings of Aesop's Fables.

Peter Hewitt, chief executive of the Arts Council of England, said: "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."