A SCHOOL has received a major boost towards its quest for arts college status.

The Royal Manor School on Portland has scooped one of the first Artsmark Gold awards in the country to recognise its commitment in the classroom to the arts.

The island secondary school is already well on its way to achieving arts college status and receiving a £500,000 grant after it raised the sponsorship needed in just a few months.

Now the school is one of only 152 around the country to receive the prestigious gold award from the Arts Council.

The accolade encourages schools to raise the standard of arts provision and to boost the profile of arts education.

For its successful bid the school had to demonstrate a commitment to providing opportunities across all the arts from drama to music, poetry to photography, dance to sculpture. Students also worked in partnership with artists and arts organisations.

Deputy headteacher Robert Russell, who helped prepare the bid, said: "The award is tremendous news for the school and a great stepping stone towards arts college status which will benefit all the children and the wider community of Portland.

The Artsmark award is a new initiative developed by the Arts Council in association with the Department for Culture, Media and Sport and other bodies. A total of 377 schools received an award including 152 gold.