On Monday evening, MD Chris Wormald accepted the Smithills school's first ever Artsmark Gold Award from Arts Council England (North West) in recognition of the school's on-going and continually expanding commitment to the arts, led by its highly successful brass and wind band programme.

Incredible

Chris told 4BR: "Smithills has had another incredibly successful year in the arts, especially in music and dance, and none more so than our Senior Brass Band."

Smithills has had another incredibly successful year in the arts, especially in music and dance, and none more so than our Senior Brass BandChris Wormald

Pride

He added with pride: "They have achieved it’s seventh consecutive Gold Award at the National Youth Brass Band Championships, its fourth at the World Music Contest, took four first prizes and the overall Whit Friday Youth Band title for the first time, and was presented with the first ever Peters Edition Sponsor’s Award at the National Festival of Music For Youth."

Chris concluded: "In addition, the Senior Concert Band also won a Gold Award in Kerkrade and now with the Arts Council presentation this week, the school has another Gold achievement in the arts to round off a spectacular year of success led by our Senior Brass Band."