HISTORY was made in Alton last week with the launch by the townÕs two state secondary schools of a partnership bid for specialist school status.

Heralded by both Amery Hill and EggarÕs as the start of a new era of collaborative education, if successful the bids could see government money heaped upon Alton to the benefit of the community as a whole.

The decision to work together towards specialist status follows the successful collaboration over new building projects - precipitated by money from the sale of the Old EggarÕs site which is to be used to help fund major improvement works on both school sites.

In order to bid for specialist status it was necessary for the schools to have a partner to compliment their chosen specialist field.

In Amery HillÕs case this is to be music and ICT while EggarÕs will be focusing on science and maths.

Amery Hill head Stephen Crabtree explained: ÒSpecialist school status means that we remain committed to teaching the full national curriculum but we will be striving to become a centre of excellence in one particular subject area.Ó

Amery Hill will build on its existing reputation for excellence in music and by doing so will seek to enhance the standard of music within its partner schools, including EggarÕs and local primary schools, and within the community as a whole.

ÒThe benefits of successful bids for the schools and the community would be considerable,Ó said Mr Crabtree.

At EggarÕs hopes are pinned on gaining a specialism in science and mathematics.

According to EggarÕs head Felicity Martin: ÒBoth subjects develop high order skills such as inquiry and investigation, which will benefit all areas of learning.Ó

Mrs Martin believes it is important that specialist status should help improve the school as a whole.

ÒThe impact should cascade to all departments and children and will particularly benefit those going into the business sector,Ó she said.

Both schools have undertaken extensive research into their chosen speciality areas and are looking forward to working together in Òa spirit of collaboration rather than competitionÓ by pooling resources, knowledge and expertise to bring extra value to children attending both schools.

ÒI believe this is one of the most exciting things to happen to the two schools in living memory and for the town as a whole,Ó said Mrs Martin.

With the bids due to be submitted to the DfES (Department for Education and Science) in the spring of next year, the two schools now have to raise £50,000 each in sponsorship and, key to success, to prepare a detailed and persuasive plan of action.

It is a major challenge but one which both schools are said to relish. Fundraising has already begun in earnest and the schools are appealing to local groups, parents and businesses to support them with cash or the pledge of goods.

If successful, the initial £50,000 will be matched by the government, which then gives extra funding on a per pupil basis for an initial period of four years.

Overall this could be worth around £600,000 each for both schools in Alton, to be used towards the improvement of buildings, staff and resources.

ÒThe real benefits come with the possibilities of offering far better facilities for science and music in the local area and making each school a centre for excellence for their subject,Ó explained chairman of Amery Hill governors, Carole Tanner.

ÒAlthough we will be making separate bids, we are partner schools in this venture,Ó added the chairman of EggarÕs governors, Margaret Crowe who, like the rest of the Alton team, is convinced that a combined approach to education within the town can only be for the good.

She told The Herald: ÒWorking together can only make us stronger.Ó