MATRAVERS School, in Westbury, is celebrating its achievement of specialist arts college status, with effect from September 2001.

David Blunkett, Secretary of State for Education, gave his approval to the school's bid on November 30.

The specialist status is awarded in recognition of achievements over recent years as well as to support and encourage future development.

This year, Matravers has converted an old building in the school grounds into a centre to house the first sixth form students at the school.

Improvements have also been made throughout the main buildings. Two new science laboratories and three new computer rooms, housing 60 new computers, have been added. A specialist textile room with state-of-the-art sewing machines has been installed.

On October 18, an evening of entertainment provided by pupils, ex-pupils and staff was held to celebrate the official opening of the school's crowning glory, a new arts and drama studio complete with amphitheatre for outdoor summer performances.

Becoming a specialist arts college will provide Matravers with extra resources. A £100,000 capital award will be made to the school, followed by a payment of £123 per pupil for the next three years.

At the end of those three years, payments will be extended for a further year provided targets are met. After that there will be the option to reapply for another three years of funding.

The money will be used for a variety of arts and information technology projects within the school, including possible exchange links with Gambia to be organised in conjunction with the Marlborough Brant group.

Being a specialist arts college also means extending links and sharing facilities with the wider community, particularly primary schools.

Headteacher Nigel Gilhespy said: "This is about far more than the extra resources we will receive, welcome though they will be. It is about allowing us to develop the ethos of the school so that we have a distinctive identity that is reflected throughout the school and is evident to other schools and the local community. This is a great responsibility."