A school which has made performing music accessible to many more pupils has been given a national award for the second year running.

The PTI charity’s Subject Mark has been given to the music department at St Bonaventure’s in Forest Gate for its “outstanding teaching” regardless of pupils’ backgrounds or abilities.

The voluntary-aided Catholic secondary was awarded the mark for opening access to music lessons with subsidies to buy instruments for more pupils to learn.

Its music department has also developed teaching expertise, setting targets to encourage pupils to achieve more.

Schools have to show how teachers have developed their specialist subject knowledge to get the award.

This includes links outside school to inspire pupils through activities beyond the set curriculum.

The PTI charity, which supports teachers with professional development courses, recognises schools with good teaching practices in subjects like art, English, geography, history, maths, modern languages, design technology, PE and science as well as music.