MP Sue Hayman visited Cockermouth School and was delighted with the art department's facilities including a new darkroom and their drive to achieve the Artsmark award.

Elaine Nicholson, marketing officer for the school said: "Sue visited our art department where she viewed students’ artwork and the new photography ‘darkroom’. Sue is keen that the creative arts like, drama, music, art and textiles continue to feature in the school curriculum and was delighted to see some of the facilities our school has to offer. She was particularly interested in the Y12 students Cyanotype images."

Sue met the director of creative learning at the school, Sam Tinkler, who discussed the school's commitment and student engagement to areas such as arts, culture and creativity and how the school will develop these further through their Artsmark award.

They have just started the journey to achieve the Artsmark, which is a creative quality standard for schools and education settings, accredited by Arts Council England.

The process of applying for an Artsmark develops and celebrates the schools commitment to arts and cultural education and includes submitting a statement of commitment which supports the schools development plan, delivering, developing and evaluating goals and submitting a statement of impact.

Sam Tinkler, said: "This is an exciting time for the development of arts, culture and creativity at Cockermouth School. We are developing a rich curriculum that encompasses these elements both within taught subjects and our extensive extended learning opportunities that take place beyond the classroom."

Sue Hayman said: "I visited the art department to see the school's work for Artsmark, an Arts Council award for inspiring young people through art, culture and creativity.

"The arts and self-expression are a vital part of education, and the Artsmark award will help Cockermouth School embed creativity across the curriculum."