School in bid for specialist status

CLAYDON High School is asking from a little help from its friends today in its quest to become a specialist humanities college.

The school is planning to apply for an extra £500,000 from the government to help it develop into a centre of excellence in English, History and Geography and other related activities.

To achieve this the school must raise more than £25,000 before it can apply for the funding in March.

Headteacher Beth Soule said: "This extra funding will enable our pupils to leave the school better equipped for the challenges of the modern world. We will be able to push the limits and create more exciting opportunities for students."

"A whole range of schools will benefit from our development plans. We are in partnership with Thurleston High School who have expertise in science and we want to be specialist at the humanities.

"We will also share our equipment and expertise with other primary schools and Thomas Wolsey School, and we hope to attract major speakers that we would usually have to travel to London to see."

Claydon High was originally going to apply to be specialist in Media Arts but struggled to get sponsorship. But when the government broadened the range subjects schools could specialise in, the humanities seemed a better choice for the students.

If successful, the school will get an initial £100,000 from the government and then another £100,000 each year for four years.

The money will be used to buy new technology and offer more field trips as well as enhancing skills in areas including languages, film and radio production, and environmental and conservation projects.

So far the school has raised £23,000 of the £50,000 needed from businesses, parents and the PTA and needs to raise the rest before the deadline in March.

If anyone would like to help them in anyway they should contact Mrs Soule on Ipswich 836110.