A SCHOOL in Southampton has received a top accolade after being awarded a highly sought after educational plaudit.

Southampton's Chamberlayne Park School has received national recognition for its excellence in arts after being awarded an Artsmark. This is awarded by the Arts Council of England and is a benchmark of excellence for arts education provision in schools.

The announcement delighted Southampton City Council and staff and pupils alike at the school which, just under a year ago, opened new music, dance and drama facilities.

Executive Member for Education, Councillor Richard Harris said: "This represents an excellent achievement both by the school and by the City Council.

"The school has given a high priority to improving and developing the arts through recent staff appointments and curriculum developments.

"The city council has invested heavily in improved facilities for the performing arts with new music, dance and drama facilities as part of the expansion programme for the school within the secondary school places review."

The Artsmark award was conceived over a year ago and has so far had £125m of government money set aside for educational art projects in organisations like schools, and another £30m given to local education authorities to use to provide music services.