A school for children with special educational needs has been praised for its arts provision.

Whitefield Schools and Centre in MacDonald Road, Walthamstow, was awarded the Artsmark Gold Award – a programme run by Arts Council England aimed at fostering the growth of arts in schools - for the third time.

The school, which caters for pupils aged between three and 19 with a variety of special educational needs, was recognised for providing a high-quality arts curriculum.

Workshops with professional artists and musicians and the school choir and band were some of the programmes praised by validators.

Peter Whelan, expressive arts coordinator, said the award provides links between the school and arts educators who understand the value of arts and what they offer people with special education needs.