St Bernard's High School and Arts College gained Specialist Schools Status in the Arts in September 2004. The school achieved Arts Mark Gold in 2004 and again in July 2007.
Arts College status has enabled the school to further develop the subjects of Art, Drama, Dance and Music. Demanding targets in these subjects and innovative and exciting creative approaches to teaching and learning across the whole curriculum has had considerable impact on standards at the school as shown by outstanding examination results.