KEIGHLEY-district schools awarded a prestigious arts title have been showcasing why they were given the accolade.

Oldfield and Crossflatts primaries are among six schools which have formed an Artsmark Cluster.

And it is the first such body to be piloting a new Artsmark process.

The group's work in art, drama, dance and music is being used as exemplar material for other schools across the country.

Heading-up the cluster are Eldwick Primary and Bingley Grammar.

Others involved, in addition to the Keighley schools, are Beckfoot at Bingley and Saltaire Primary.

The schools came together to show their artistic skills as part of a celebration, held at Beckfoot.

There was an animal theme to the evening, which highlighted the progress the schools have made since signing-up to the scheme – run by the Arts Council and Cape UK – last September.

The concert included a competition piece from a recent Yorkshire Rock Challenge event, The Savannah by Bingley Grammar year 13 student Alisha Smith, Bingley Grammar's Drumline performing a piece it played for the Music for Youth competition, a harmony group from Beckfoot and music from the choirs of Crossflatts, Oldfield, Eldwick and Saltaire.

Teacher Rachel Oliver said: "All the schools have Artsmark status, ranging from emerging through bronze up to gold.

"We all have a commitment that for three years we will provide excellent to outstanding arts education, including lessons in the classroom, extra-curricular and outside experiences.

"The idea behind the cluster is that we help each other gain Artsmark status by sharing good practice, allowing our pupils to gain shared experiences within the arts.

"This event was a celebration of the work going on in each individual school and there were some joint songs to bring us together."

The event also included a display of pupils' art work.

A spokesman for the cluster added: "The ethos driving the Artsmark cluster is to create aspiration and progress through communication, confidence and independent thought.

"We have all benefited from being part of the collaborative group and the evening provided a wonderful opportunity to come together and showcase some of our artistic and musical talents.

"Artsmark schools gain access to extra resources as well as networks of the country's top cultural organisations, helping them develop and strengthen their arts provision."

The awards are also looked at favourably by school inspection body Ofsted.