Eastwood High School has been awarded arts technical college status which will guarantee £100,000 in extra funding.

The school on Rayleigh Road, Leigh, was one of 34 across the country to receive special status in the latest announcement by the Department for Education and Employment.

Eastwood applied in June to become an arts college after producing a four-year curriculum plan which was strongly biased towards the arts as well as evidence that exam results at the school had been improving over the last five years.

The school will officially change to its new status from September 2001 but a capital grant of more than £100,000 will be received beforehand.

The money will be used to buy new computers and books.

Once operating as an arts technical college, the school's budget will also be increased which, among other things, will pay for new teachers and cover staff.

Eastwood headteacher David Penketh said: "The governors, staff and pupils are all delighted to receive this news."

Mr Penketh thanked other schools in the area for helping them in their application.

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