STUDENTS drew creative inspiration from the work of a master when their academy hosted a work by LS Lowry.
The King's Academy, in Coulby Newham, celebrated Lowry Day after being selected as one of only 26 schools nationally to host a work in the BBC Masterpieces in Schools programme.
The valuable painting, which was loaned by Middlesbrough's Mima gallery, arrived at the academy under tight security and was guarded all day by gallery staff.
Hundreds of students got to view it and hear a lecture on the artist and the history of the work, 'St Hilda's Church and the old Town Hall', while a group from Hemlington Hall Primary School were invited to help bring the painting alive by recording sounds.
Throughout the day academy students were involved in projects related to the picture, including creative writing and an art workshop.
Head of art Kevin Morris said: "All our students in years 7-9 and those studying GCSE and BTEC art saw the painting and listened to a presentation in the lecture theatre, while our sixth formers enjoyed a private viewing after school.
"There has been a buzz around the Lowry all day and it's a great honour for us to be chosen as host. The opportunity was advertised so we applied, then a team came and spent the day here looking at our facilities and hearing about the plans we had to ensure as many students as possible got to see the work and do projects relating to it."
Mima education officer Erin Rolfe told how Friends of Middlesbrough art gallery had commissioned the painting from Lowry in the 1950s. They paid £60 for the work, whose value now runs into hundreds of thousands.
Erin explained: "The Friends invited Lowry to come to Middlesbrough and find somewhere that really inspired him. He agreed and came for a tour of the town which was when he came across the scene of St Hilda's and the old Town Hall.
"It's one of my favourites in the Mima collection and I hope it becomes a favourite of students at The King's Academy too."
