A Witham school has hit the jackpot just in time with two huge cash donations to meet the £35,000 needed for its bid to become a technology college.

A computer company and a trust came up trumps as Rickstones head teacher, Norma Turner and her staff explored every avenue to meet the deadline for their bid to go through.

Logica (UK) Ltd and a trust which wishes to remain anonymous at present both confirmed their pledges in letters this week. Logica have donated £24,000 and the trust, £11,220.

"I was absolutely dumbstruck when the news came through," said Mrs Turner last week.

"We only had the confirmation on Monday and have still not really got over the feeling of elation."

The school had issued a last minute appeal for support when it was decided to submit a bid to become a Technology in Arts College. A total of £65,000 was raised, but this was £35,000 short of the £100,000 target set by the government.

Now if the bid succeeds, the government will match that with another £100,000 plus hundreds of thousands of pounds in the following years.

"We really have had tremendous local community support," said Mrs Turner, "and much of that stems from the fact that we have made it very clear we will be developing very close links both with the community in Witham and other local schools."

Mrs Turner said specialised facilities for the disabled, who in many instances are precluded from taking part in music and art activities, will be included.

Witham's other comprehensive school, The John Bramston, which is also trying to convert to Technology College status in maths and science, has just heard that its second bid has been unsuccessful.

"However we are not disheartened and will submit the bid again,'' said head teacher, Mr Ted Rowley, this week.

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