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Culture secretary Tessa Jowell is praising the high level of schools success in the first stage of the Artsmark scheme - and encouraging even more seats of learning to join up in the future.

Artsmark is a new award scheme, aimed at:

Recognising, and promoting good practice, in arts education provision.

Extending arts education opportunities, in schools.

Encouraging effective partnerships, between schools, arts practitioners and organisations in arts education.

Run by the Arts Council of England, Artsmark was developed by the DCMS (Department for Culture, Media and Sport) in partnership with the Arts Council, (DFES),the Department for Education and Skills, the QCA (Qualifications and Curriculum Authority) OfSTED, and Sport England.

Altogether, 376 schools were successful in the first round of Artsmark, in recognition of their commitment to quality arts education. Applications for the second round are now welcome.

Celebrating the high level of success, Tessa Jowell said: "Creative and artistic activities are not only very popular with young people, they are also essential to their development as students, as citizens, and as individuals. The Artsmark award recognises the importance of the arts in education. It rewards excellence, endorses good practice and demonstrates that schools are concerned with the wider development of young people.

"I am delighted with the positive response of schools to the Artsmark scheme, so far, and I congratulate all the schools who have been awarded an Artsmark. It's a major achievement, and recognises the tremendous amount of inspirational and exciting work, going on in the arts in our schools.

"Many schools who applied said that Artsmark had helped focus, and galvanise, their arts activities. I hope that the magnificent response so far will encourage even more schools to apply for the next round."

More information available in Arts & Culture