KINGSDOWN School is applying to become a specialist technology college in a bid to obtain more funding from Government.

The school in Hyde Road, Stratton St Margaret, is the worst funded secondary school in Swindon, and Swindon is the worst funded unitary authority in the country.

It has been performing well in recent years and was last week acknowledged among the 99 most improved schools in the country.

Because of that, headteacher David Williams believes the school has become a victim of its own success and has not received as many grants as other schools in the borough.

If it is successful in its bid, which will be submitted to the Government in March, the school would become Swindon's third specialist school and would pocket an extra £600,000 over three years.

Churchfields School became the first specialist school in the town when it won performing arts college status in January 1999 and Dorcan School followed suit six months later, becoming a technology college.

Specialist status is awarded to schools to encourage improve-ment in a particular subject area and for them to spread good practice to other nearby schools.

Mr Williams said: "The success we are achieving at present is not sustainable on our current budget, so we need to do something to attract more resources.

"I don't necessarily agree with the Government that there should be such diversity between schools and I don't like this divisive pursuit of extra funding I would rather all schools were given adequate and equal core funding.

"But they are not, so we have to try to make the best of that situation to get the best for Kingsdown." He said the reason the school had decided to go for technology college status rather than any other subject was because it would lead to improvements across the curriculum.

Better facilities and teaching in ICT, for example, would benefit not just computer courses but maths, science and other subjects.

Before submitting its bid, the school must raise £50,000 of sponsorship, starting with a sponsored walk on December 7.

Swindon Town boss Roy Evans and Swindon Mayor, David Cox, will both be taking part and it is hoped that around £10,000 can be raised.

A range of other events including 'gungeing' Mr Williams are set to take place, but the school has appealed for help from local companies to meet its cash target.

Seven local primary schools and Highworth Warneford School will also benefit if the bid is successful, as links between them and Kingsdown would be strengthened.