A County Durham school is celebrating a new milestone after becoming a specialist science college.

Greenfield Community College in Newton Aycliffe is now recognised with the new science specialism, which goes alongside its Arts College status.

Young people at the school, which was one of the first arts colleges in the country, will get the full range of opportunities available in its specialist subjects of visual arts, performing arts and the sciences, within the broad and balanced curriculum.

Head teacher David Priestley said: “We believe this benefits all our pupils, both in continuing to get excellent results at GCSE but also to have the right mix of skills for their next steps when they leave us.

“We are recognised nationally and internationally for our expertise as a specialist school and we’re committed to creative approaches to learning as part of our ambition for all our pupils.

“We are committed to a balanced approach to ensure creative applications in all disciplines.”

The school’s head of Science Beth Tait said: “Creativity is about having ideas and creating things in an original way.

“Such skills are not just at the heart of arts and sciences but are central to success in all subjects as well as being central to successful communities.

“Creativity is about having new ideas and creating things in an original way, which is the lifeblood of science and technology, business and politics, and if properly conceived can be the lifeblood of how communities grow and develop.

“Our pupils are living in a world that’s moving faster than ever. We need children who are confident, adaptable who will be able to make their way with confidence and able to contribute to an economy based in innovation and creativity.

“The arts and creativity are basics. You learn skills and aptitudes and dispositions through dance, theatre, practical work in music, design and technology and science which are fundamental.”

The ethos of arts colleges involves developing students’ enjoyment and participation in the arts, building self-confidence and self-esteem in their creative abilities which often leads to a lifelong engagement in arts related activities.

Arts colleges work to raise attainment and the quality of teaching and learning in their chosen arts subjects for all their students. They develop ways to use the arts and new technologies to improve the whole curriculum.

Greenfield became an Arts College in 1998, and the school provides young people with many opportunities to see performances and exhibitions.

More details about Greenfield Community College can be found at www.greenfieldschool.net

● Greenfield’s head of Science Beth Tait is pictured with science teacher and assistant head Jim Ward.