A HUDDERSFIELD school has received a top award for its arts activities.

Longley School, which caters for pupils with moderate learning difficulties, has been presented with the Artsmark Gold award by the Arts Council.

The award goes to schools which have shown commitment to developing their arts provision, including drama, music, design, literature, art and sculpture.

A total of 695 Artsmark Gold awards were given out across the UK in the latest round.

To get Artsmark Gold Longley School had to show big improvements since receiving Artsmark Silver three years ago.

The school has regular visits from theatre companies and pupils are also taken to theatres. Recent outings have included trips to see Cats and The Jungle Book in Manchester.

Pupils also make regular trips to art galleries and museums and the Yorkshire Sculpture Park at West Bretton.

They also take part in workshops run by the school’s music specialist, Cath Millward. A recent samba workshop was especially popular.

Arts co-ordinator Yvonne Talbot said: “The arts enable students to reach their full potential. It’s an area where they can all shine in one way or another.

“We would like to say a big ‘thank you’ to all the staff and students for the tremendous effort they have put into achieving this award. We are all justifiably proud of it.

“We are very fortunate, too, that our governors and management are committed to the arts.”