A Braintree school has successfully reached the necessary sum needed to submit a bid to the government to become a technology college, thanks to Freeport.

Notley High School finally achieved its sponsorship target of £50,000 last week, after the shopping centre pledged £2,400 to complete the target.

Head teacher John Hartley said they were extremely grateful to Freeport, because acquiring a technology status would benefit the whole of Braintree.

"I very much hope that the pledge that Freeport has made will be the start of a significant partnership which will help promote the importance of scientific and technological education across the Braintree District."

Mark Hartsone, marketing director of Freeport Leisure, who met some of the year eight pupils at the school, said: "We hope that Notley High will be successful in achieving technology status and we are happy to be able to assist them."

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