Estelle Morris says specialist schools are a success

Older boys will mentor younger ones, helping to challenge the stigma that dance is for girls.

Giving details of 34 schools which have been awarded specialist status, schools standards minister Estelle Morris said such institutions were having a great impact on secondary education.

Her comments are backed up by this year's school-by-school GCSE results, which confirm that specialist schools in England are generally outperforming other comprehensives.

Just over half the students at the 393 schools given specialist status by the autumn of 1999 scored top GCSE grades this year.

That was 10 points more than those in all other comprehensive schools.

'Diversity'

Ms Morris claimed the growth of specialist schools proved the government's commitment to diversity and excellence.

"Today's newly-designated specialist schools bring the total number to 569 which means the government is well over half way to meeting its new target of 1,000 specialist schools by 2004.

"Specialist schools are helping all schools to share in the increased investment and excellent opportunities being created at these arts, sports, language and technology schools," she said.

The schools would be expected to develop innovative projects in their specialist areas, the minister stressed.

The 16 new sports colleges would be at the forefront of the campaign to raise the profile of sport in schools and create the sports stars of tomorrow, she added.

New specialist schools

The full list of newly-designated schools, by government region - (T)echnology, (A)rts, (L)anguages, (S)ports:

Greater London

Brentside High School (A)

East Anglia

Comberton Village College (S)
Copleston High School (S)
Kirkley High School (S)
Sir Charles Lucas School (A)
The Eastwood School (A)
The Netherall School (S)

East Midlands

Anthony Gell School (S)
Sir Jonathan North Community College (A)
Skegness Grammar School (S)

North East

Haughton Community School (A)
St. Aidan's County High School (S)

North West

Lostock Community High School (A)
Turton High School (A)
Dowdales School (A)

South East

Carisbrooke High School (S)
Charles Darwin School (A)
Priory College (S)
Dr Challoner's High School (S)
George Abbot School (A)
Hillview School for Girls (A)
Lord Williams's School (S)
The Hayesbrook School (S)
Trinity School (A)
Wildern School (A)

South West

Lytchett Minster School (A)
Matravers School (A)
Wyvern Community School (S)

West Midlands

Idsall School (S)
Lacon Childe School (S)
Willenhall Comprehensive School (S)
Wilnecote High School (A)

Yorkshire and the Humber

Hemsworth High School (A)
Longcroft School (A)