FOLLOWING an outstanding' Office for Standards in Education inspection, Kirkby Stephen Grammar School Sports College has been re-designated as a Sports College for another three years and has been invited to become a High Performing Specialist School.

The Sports College status guarantees funding will continue for additional sports work both in the school and the local community, and the High Performing Specialist School status will enable Kirkby Stephen to offer a second specialism.

Head teacher David Keetley told The Messenger: "The High Performing Specialist School status is only open to schools that have had successful OFSTED inspections and with high results.

"This means that we can take on a second specialism, which is likely to be vocational or applied learning. This will also bring additional funding which will allow us to achieve more of our aims in developing new, high quality courses for our pupils. Strict targets will be set and we will need to meet them, otherwise the status and funding is withdrawn.

"As an applied learning specialist school we will be able to offer more of the new diploma courses which are to be introduced in Eden from 2009. The first will be IT and Environmental Land-based Studies. We hope to later bring on line the Sports and Active Leisure Diploma.

"The five secondary schools in the area are looking to work with the University of Cumbria to provide a wide a range of diploma opportunities for students.

"A number of our students are going to the Heritage Centre in Appleby for applied courses in engineering, and students from Appleby Grammar School have being coming to Kirkby Stephen for drama classes. The Heritage Centre shuttle mini bus has provided the transport solution to enable students to access facilities in neighbouring towns.

"Our aim is to make the most of talents, skills and facilities that the individual schools and colleges have. There is definitely a willingness to work together and the new status for Kirkby Stephen will benefit not just students here but the wider community too.

"We have been looking at what is needed locally, and ways to expand the curriculum and worth with partners including local businesses, other schools and colleges. The diplomas are for all abilities and are demanding of students. As well as the diplomas they will also have to do their GCSE maths, English, science, ICT and RE.

"We are a unique school, the smallest secondary school with a 6th form in the county. To be invited to become a High Performing Specialist School is recognition of the hard work and dedication of the staff and students at Kirkby Stephen. We now aim to build upon that success for the benefit of the whole, wider community."

Mr Keetley and his team at Kirkby Stephen have started planning the development of a second specialism in preparation for when the funding is released. He has been invited to a conference in London this September, which will look at the role of High Performing Specialists Schools. There are currently only 601 schools in England and Wales on the Department of Children, Schools and Families list of High Performing Specialists Schools.