A BOROUGH school has received a top award for its commitment to promoting the arts.

The sound of samba music echoed through the corridors of Basingstoke's Bishop Challoner School as pupils crafted their own jewellery, took part in pantomimes and created beautiful mosaics as part of a week-long arts extravaganza.

Bishop Challoner was awarded silver Artsmark status by Arts Council England, in recognition of the school's commitment to promoting all art forms across the curriculum, and so the school's first official arts week allowed pupils to embrace and celebrate their new status.

Kellina Foster, the head of art, explained that the week's activities were themed around the environment and recycling, and said the event had been such a success that a date for a repeat event had already been set for next year.

Miss Foster said pupils took part in a number of activities including making figurines out of nuts and bolts and wire, and creating their own bags out of used Capri Sun drinks containers.

The pupils also enjoyed special workshops on samba music and dance and pantomime, and even the staff got involved with history and English teachers Ken Pickering and Dave Maxwell putting on an impromptu music concert to raise money for materials.

Miss Foster said: "The pupils were really enthusiastic and wanted to take part in everything."

Commenting on the silver Artsmark award, Miss Foster said: "We are really thrilled. With the school just being awarded ICT and maths specialist status, this shows that we are balancing the pupils' education."