It boasts the accolade of being Norfolk's top performing art department three years running and now visitors to Dereham Sixth Form College will be able to see the reason why.

Eastern Daily Press: Staff and students at The Dereham Sixth Form College where the Art department has been named one of the top performing teams in the country. Picture: Ian BurtStaff and students at The Dereham Sixth Form College where the Art department has been named one of the top performing teams in the country. Picture: Ian Burt

The college, and academy partner Northgate High School, will be opening their doors to the public from 5pm to 7pm on Wednesday, June 7 for their Summer Exhibition.

Eastern Daily Press: The Dereham Sixth Form College's Art department has been named one of the top performing teams in the country. Pictured with head of art (front) Louise Chapman are (from left) Maureen Mottley, Sharon Niblock and Tobie Galvin. Picture: Ian BurtThe Dereham Sixth Form College's Art department has been named one of the top performing teams in the country. Pictured with head of art (front) Louise Chapman are (from left) Maureen Mottley, Sharon Niblock and Tobie Galvin. Picture: Ian Burt

Visitors will be able to see all the students' work at both venues from fine art to textiles and photography to graphic design.

A celebration of success is reflected in the exhibition at Dereham Sixth Form College.

Its value added rating is in the top one percent of the whole country for fine art, graphics and art, craft and design, and in the top five percent for photography.

Value added shows students' improvements from when they start, with their target grades, until they leave at A level.

Head of art, Louise Chapman, was 'very excited' to have the department's achievements officially recognised.

Together with Northgate High the two have a partnership that reflects shared values - the importance of striving to achieve excellence, the value of education and the potential of creative thinking.

Maureen Mottley, who is head of art and design at Northgate High School and teaches at the College, said: 'It is a mistake to think that Norwich is the creative hub when our education here in Dereham is the best in the county and we are very proud of our kids.'

At Northgate High School the Summer Exhibition is a showcase for experimental and innovative works of art from all of the GCSE Art & Design specifications. Within the gallery foyer space there will be a diverse range of art works creatively knitted together from the current Year 11 pupils.

Although the art work on display only represents a fraction of the work produced by pupils over the two years, the art exhibited represents a diverse and culturally rich body of work accumulated from a range of starting points.

Ms Chapman said: 'We hope all visitors to the Summer Exhibition will be inspired by the passion, commitment and creativity on display.'

Dereham Sixth Form College is on Crown Road in Dereham and Northgate High School is on Cemetery Road.

All are welcome.