Pupils at Harper Green School and Arts College are celebrating after having their artwork displayed at four major arts venues in less than 12 months.

The granting of Arts College status in 2003 has allowed the school to rapidly improve its arts provision, giving pupils better access to a wide range of creative experiences.

The school's most recent success saw the inclusion of its artwork in the esteemed "Specialist School's Trust Art Exhibition" at the Baltic Centre for Contemporary Art in Gateshead.

Wendy Rowberry, assistant head of art and design at the school, said: "The secret to our success is the many talented and enthusiastic young people we have at Harper Green. Arts College funding has allowed us to buy in practicing artists which inspire and motivate our pupils."

Pupils first tasted success last summer after they worked with artist, Adela Jones, winning a prestigious Artworks, Young Artists of the Year Award, for a set of bird tables.

The artwork was exhibited at the Tate Modern in London and was featured in a Channel Four film.

In September, the school was one of three, selected by Bolton Artists in Schools, to take part in the national "Big Draw" initiative.

Young artist, Connor Galston, was selected from thousands of entries in November, coming second in the 11-13 age category of the Unilever, International Schools Arts Project Awards. Connor was furtunate enough to have his work displayed at the Tate in Liverpool, alongside artworks by Pablo Picasso and Henri Moore. He appeared on BBC's "Blue Peter" along with other shortlisted winners and the famous British artist, Raymond Briggs.

Current year 11 pupils also had their work displayed last summer at the Hall i'th' Wood Museum and Art Gallery in Bolton.