A HEREFORDSHIRE man has been appointed to help shape the future of the arts for specialist schools in the west of England.

Steve Tommey, of Upton Bishop, who has taught in county schools for 25 years, has taken on the new post of lead practitioner of the arts for the West of England in corporation with the Specialist Schools Trust.

The advanced skills music teacher, currently at Worcestershire's Bishop Perowne High, will research best practises in the arts at specialist schools from Birmingham to Bristol.

Working alongside subject leaders, heads of area and regional co-ordinators, Mr Tommey hopes to support the work with the trust's network of schools.

His findings will be be posted on a web-site to offer ideas and inspiration to other schools.

The post of lead practitioner is a new initiative. So far within the arts there have been only six appointed in the whole country.

"I am proud more Herefordshire schools are attaining specialist status," said Mr Tommey.