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Education Matters: Plantsbrook Tunes in to an Extra Pounds 200,000

Posted on: Monday, 30 January 2006, 06:00 CST

A Birmingham secondary school has become one of a handful in the country to secure a dual specialist status, accessing an extra pounds 200,000 a year in Government funds.

Specialist status in music comes on top of Plantsbrook School's specialist technology status which already provides hundreds of thousands of pounds in additional revenue.

The music title means every pupil beginning at the school in Year Seven will have the opportunity to learn a wind instrument.

Tracy Campbell, head teacher of the school in Sutton Coldfield, said: "We believe in a broad and balanced curriculum so we chose music as it will allow us to develop our strength in the subject.

"In addition, we can combine the use of new technology to teach music in an innovative way that will keep pupils interested."

The school is one of only 70 schools in England with dual specialist status.

Specialist schools, which are allowed to select a small percentage on aptitude, are a key part of the Government's strategy to raise standards.

To obtain the status, schools have to raise pounds 50,000 through sponsorship. Ministers believe adopting a specialism gives schools renewed focus and vision.

Source: Birmingham Post; Birmingham (UK)

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