First Class

Feb 05, 09:45 AM

Current Headlines: By Nicola Juncar

School wins new status

A Tyneside special school has achieved a national first after being awarded specialist status as a science college.

Sir Charles Parsons School in Walker, Newcastle, caters for pupils aged 11 to 19 with severe, profound and multiple learning difficulties.

Pupils and staff are celebrating the news the school will become a specialist science college ( the first special school of its type in the country to be given science status.

The announcement by the Department for Education and Skills follows a recent Ofsted inspection during which the school was judged to be "outstanding".

Headteacher John Preston said: "This crowns an extraordinarily successful year for the school.

"Specialist school status is a hard-won achievement that will bring tremendous benefits to our students and those in our partner schools."

The school has spent 18 months working with other schools and community partners to put together a bid for science college status to the DfES.

It will receive a grant of pounds 100,000 to improve science teaching facilities and additional funding to develop its science curriculum. The school raised pounds 30,000 sponsorship from local firms including Shepherd Offshore, Jebb Metal, R&L Furniture and Context Office Services.

David Clegg, head of education at Newcastle City Council, said: "This achievement is a testimony to the hard work and ambitions of staff and governors."

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