A school is celebrating after becoming the first in the district to scoop a second specialist status.
From March Oakbank School, a specialist sports college, will also be a specialist technology college. The school was invited by the Department for Education and Skills (DfES) as part of a national scheme to extend its status after good performance as a sports college.
Andy Hartley, head of technology at the school, said they were delighted with the award. It mean an extra £100,000 a year from the DfES. There are 38 schools nationally which specialise in two areas. "It has yet to be officially rubber-stamped but the DfES has told us: `assume that your plans have been approved and start work immediately in the autumn term'," said Mr Hartley. "This is fantastic news for the school. We were one of the first schools to go to sports college status and because sports have been successful it was anticipated a second subject would do as well.
"We chose technology because of its good achievement record." Every student sits GCSE design and technology and in the summer 58 per cent gained an A to C grade. Overall 51 per cent of pupils achieved five A to C grades in the exams.
The school has links with primary schools and secondary cluster schools.
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