A £750,000 boost could be coming to Maldon in recognition of a school's special artistic talents.

The Plume School is to apply for specialist status in music, art and drama which could land it supporting payments over the next four years.

Headteacher Sarah Dignasse said it is part of a Government drive to encourage schools to develop areas of expertise.

She said while other schools had focused on sports, technology and maths, the Plume had developed its arts and music.

Governors decided to make a bid for the specialist status and if successful it could get £750,000 .

To accompany the bid for arts college status, the school must show it can raise £50,000 sponsorship and it hopes for support from parents and other groups.

Miss Dignasse said: "The Government is encouraging schools to build on the improvements they have made by applying for specialist status.

"If we are successful, we will receive a large injection of additional funding that can help us to develop technology throughout the school as well as providing students with a range of additional activities in the arts.

"We are also hoping that past students, individuals and local business will become involved in support for this development."

She added that a recent report showed that GCSE results in specialist schools were ten per cent higher than those of non-specialists.

Primary schools and community arts organisations could also benefit as some of the funding can be used to improve arts activities.

Miss Dignasse said: "We have written to local arts organisations to invite them to play a part in the development of the bid.

Anyone interested should contact the school

By Simon Spurgeon

Reporter's e-mail: simon_spurgeon@ thisisessex.co.uk

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