Just as staff and pupils at St Peter’s School in Marlborough were planning their annual art day on Monday they received the news that they have won a Silver Artsmark award.

These are given to schools in recognition of arts teaching and achievement by their pupils and two years ago St Peter’s celebrated getting its bronze award.

Headteacher Caroline Spindlow said: “We have now just heard that we have achieved the silver award which is not surprising in view of all the amazing art actitivies that go on in the school – and the great standard of art that the children meet.

“The aim of the art day is for all the pupils to be inspired and recognise that there is an artist inside everyone of us.”

Mrs Spindlow said credit for the children’s growing interest in art was due to Mark Rackham, the St Peter’s art co-ordinator. “He is the one who organises all the additional activities and flies the art flag in school,” the head said.

Special guest at the art day was Kev Sutherland, a cartoonist with the Beano, who gave an insight into his craft. Pupils have also created their own newspaper. Under the editorship of Matthew Hogg, 11, around ten students from Years 5 and 6 took on roles including sports editor, entertainments editor and photographer as they researched, wrote, edited and designed the St Peter’s Times.

The cub reporters interviewed staff and fellow pupils on a variety of subjects including recent science experiments while an agony aunt helped solve problems and fashion editor Lauryn Hughes modelled the latest looks.

Under the guidance of Mrs Spindlow and parent and national newspaper sub-editor Ben Tarring, the children submitted their words and pictures to editor Matthew, who had to make some tough decisions on where to place them in the four-page paper.

Mrs Spindlow said: “It was great to see how quickly the children grasped their roles and how well they got to grips with the concept of some very tight deadlines.”