The Department for Education and Skills has today announced which of the country's secondary schools will receive the award of specialist status - and York is one of the few authorities with two schools achieving that accolade in new categories this year.

Archbishop Holgate's CE school and Fulford Secondary school have both been awarded specialist status - science for Archbishop Holgate's and mathematics and computing for Fulford. Both schools are one of only a small number of schools that have for the first time been designated as specialist schools under the new categories of mathematics and computing, and science.

Councillor Janet Looker, executive member for education, said; "This is excellent news for York children and wonderful recognition for all the hard work of staff, governors, parents and pupils at both of these schools - their status is well deserved".

She continued; "Children at both specialist schools will now be able to benefit from additional resources and funding - but the specialist schools will also benefit pupils outside these schools, as well as other groups of people in the wider community. The announcements are yet another demonstration of how hard everyone is working to make York schools the best in the country."

Patrick Scott, director of education and leisure services, said; "Both schools should be congratulated on their specialist status awards - and not only is it unusual for neighbouring schools to be awarded specialist status, but for them both to receive awards under new specialisms is exceptional. Across the city's schools we now have an excellent range of specialisms, which is a real achievement for such a small authority and for the schools themselves.

"We now want to work with schools to increase the range of specialisms further, particularly in the area of sports and arts, where we already have schools interested. The challenge for us will be finding people who are able to contribute and help us achieve this."

Any maintained secondary school in England may apply to be designated as a specialist school in one of eight specialist categories and, from September 2002, there will be 992 specialist schools in operation. Each school must raise £50,000 in unconditional sponsorship and complete a comprehensive application including a four-year school and community development plan with targets and performance indicators.

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