Colchester: School's all-clear to be arts college

Sir Charles Lucas School in Greenstead was among 34 schools in England granted special status and given extra money to develop expertise in arts or sport.

The comprehensive has been working hard for a few years to get permission to concentrate on dance, drama, art and music and was up against stiff competition.

It now means it will get £750,000 of Government money over four years to develop pupils' talents, refurbish the theatre to professional standards, upgrade art and music facilities and open them up to the wider community.

The decision rounds off a momentous year for the school, where singer and television personality Darren Day was a pupil. First it was chosen as part of a national virtual education action zone and, in September, it opened a brand new community sports centre.

Headteacher Caroline Hobbs said the school was honoured to become an arts college.

She added: "We are extremely proud that the excellent work carried out by students and staff has achieved this national recognition."

From next September every pupil, no matter what their ability, will be able to benefit from the added resources and members of the wider community will be able to attend special classes or use the theatre.

The aim is to improve motivation, teach new skills and achieve higher standards, helping people secure a better future.

St Helena School in Colchester said a few years ago it would also like to become an arts college, but it is unlikely the Government will grant the status to two educational establishments in the same town.

Today's announcement brings the total number of specialist schools to 569 - more than half the Government's eventual target of 1,000.

This year's GCSE results showed that many specialist schools performed better than ordinary comprehensives.

By Sarah Oxley

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

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