Two schools are celebrating after being awarded prestigious arts plaudits.

Staff and children at Redland School in Chippenham are celebrating this week after finally earning their Gold Artsmark award.

The school has been working towards the award for a number of years but has only ever received the Silver award.

Headteacher Hilary Walton said she was delighted with the achievement and said it was testament to the hard work of arts co-ordinator Becky Rolfe.

“She pulled together all of the evidence and created a really impressive application and we are all over the moon,” she said.

“We have some brilliant artwork here in the school and the children are so creative.

“We are delighted that we have finally impressed the judges and the children are so pleased.

“Art is a pleasure to practise no matter what your ability. Children can excel at a different range of areas in the curriculum, not just literacy and numeracy, but creative arts.”

Nursteed Community Primary School in Devizes has also won a Gold Artsmark in recognition of the school’s commitment to arts education.

The gold is the highest of three levels of the Arts Council award and recognises how the children have taken part in community events such as Devizes Carnival, the Christmas lantern parade, large school productions, concerts, dance displays and art exhibitions.

Headteacher Tim Heath said: “Children here are regularly involved in all sorts of creative activities and this award celebrates this fact. Taking part has enabled us to develop our arts provision and see the children become more self-confident, engaged and excited about learning.”