UNIVERSITY Academy Keighley has completed the first year of its inspiring partnership with renowned professional arts organisations.

Students of the school in Beechcliffe teamed up with South Craven School students for a performance and art exhibition at Leeds City Museum attended by proud parents and staff.

UAK was just one of eight schools chosen to take part in the four-year Burberry Inspire Project.

UAK was partnered with Leeds Playhouse and ran workshops in school with artist-in-residence Jenny Jones, arts professionals Stella Litras and Razwan Ul Haq, and stage manager Megal Kearney.

There were displays of students’ calligraphy taught by Razwan, creative writing and drama guided by Stella, and an evening performance set around the school lunchtime.

Head of School Jon Skurr, who attended the performance, said: “We are so proud of our students for stretching themselves to take part over the past months – their hard work certainly paid off.

“Thank you to Burberry Inspire who have created a wonderful programme for our young people to experience the arts, supported by professional organisations.”

Next year UAK will be partnered with Leeds Young Film, followed by Northern Ballet and The Hepworth Wakefield in years three and four.

Project coordinator Isobel Perrings said: “This project has given our students an opportunity to experience creative activities they wouldn’t usually have access to, and we are very excited to see what opportunities the next three years bring.”