Schools celebrate specialist status
31 January 2008
Staff and pupils at three Derbyshire schools are celebrating after being awarded specialist schools status.
The Mortimer Wilson school in Alfreton is to become a specialist college in performing and visual arts, Bennerley School in Cotmanhay has received business and enterprise status and Granville School in Swadlincote has received specialist sports college status with modern languages.
This means that 42 of Derbyshire’s 47 secondary schools now have specialist status.
Councillor Alan Charles, Derbyshire County Council’s cabinet member for schools, has welcomed the news.
He said: “I would like to congratulate everyone who has been involved in making these bids successful.
“Each school has had to raise £50,000 to provide the match funding element required and this has involved a lot of hard work, dedication and effort.
“Gaining specialist status will provide pupils with improved facilities and staff will be able to develop and share their expertise particularly within their local community of schools.”
Specialist schools develop into centres of excellence in their chosen area – which could be engineering, languages, science, technology, sports and arts, mathematics and computing or business and enterprise.
They receive additional funding from the Government: a one-off capital grant of £100,000 and £129 annually per pupil, initially over four years.
Wendy Sharp, headteacher of Mortimer Wilson school, said: “My thanks go to my students, their families – many of whom have been a tremendous encouragement on this challenging journey - and to the staff and governors of the school. “
David Clark, head of Bennerley School, said it was extremely good news for both students and the local community.
He said: “We know that enterprise skills are essential in the modern world and can enable young people to take a flexible approach to careers and lifelong learning.”
Granville’s head Barrie Scott added: “Granville continues to go from strength to strength, and has taken its place as the school which promotes high standards of achievement and behaviour and the participation of pupils and the community in sport, activities and extended learning.”
Each school will receive £100,000 for specific projects relating to their specialism. The money will go towards providing new facilities for the schools and wider communities to use.
• Mortimer Wilson school plans to purchase electrically operated tiered theatre seating. This will considerably enhance the comfort of audiences, while benefiting all students who use the venue.
• Bennerley School will use the money to create a state of the art teaching and learning centre which will offer opportunities for both staff and students.
• Granville School will be creating a dance studio, multi gym, and interactive computer suite.
REF:CM:38:08
