WYCOMBE High School has struck gold after it received top honours from the Arts Council last week.

It has been awarded Artsmark Gold Status for its achievements in drama, music, dance and art.

The school successfully demonstrated its competency and commitment in these areas after a rigorous assessment. This is the first time the school has applied for the award and it is delighted to have received such recognition.

Headteacher Jane Wainwright, said: "The Artsmark award recognises schools that demonstrate a commitment to providing opportunities across all the art forms, which is certainly true of Wycombe High School.

"The pupils' amazing theatrical productions, their innovative dancing displays, their professional music concerts, together with their remarkable art and technology exhibitions, bear testimony to the vast range of opportunities that the school provides to enhance learning beyond the classroom."

The school first had to complete a detailed questionnaire before assessors came to observe some of the classes themselves.

They spoke to both students and teachers and were impressed with the range of activities the pupils were involved in.

Ms Wainwright knows the girls could not have won the award without their teachers.

She added: "It is not only the pupils that show unrivalled commitment, the students here would be the first to acknowledge the dedication and support of all their teachers."

Sir Christopher Frayling, Arts Council England chairman, said: "It is very encouraging to see so many schools displaying such dedication to their arts' provision.

"They are bringing the arts alive for young people and giving them opportunities to get closely involved with a wide range of activities, including work with arts' practitioners within the wider community. My warm congratulations to all those who achieved a highly deserved Artsmark award this year."

l Musicians at Wycombe High are currently looking forward to a trip abroad where they will show off their talents to a variety of venues in Poland. The whole school is also preparing for it's summer musical, Carousel, which it will perform in July.