TENBURY High School's major bid for Special Status in Science and Engineering is gathering momentum and the campaign by local people to raise funds for improved educational opportunities has got off to a flying start.

A fantastic £12,875 has been raised so far and deputy headteacher Pauline Tavernor, who is spearheading the five-week campaign, is delighted at the community response.

She said: "We are on our way to the £42,000 target needed to unlock £150,000 of funding. Generous donations have come in from businesses in the area and we are very grateful. Even donations of a few pounds can help our 420-pupil school provide community benefits for years to come."

Part of the Specialist Schools Initiative, aimed at raising standards in schools, the programme is backed by the school's governors, staff and parents who are all pulling together in the bid to move forward.

Headteacher Stuart Cooke, backed by chair of governors Pru Winton, said: "If we are successful we will then have the funds to improve the quality of the education we provide in all curriculum areas and not just specialist subjects.

"We all need to have a good understanding to ensure that resources will be used to best effect in issues that are important to local schools, businesses and the wider community so that we can plan to do better."

The school's Ready Steady Cook team has reached the finals at Ludlow Food Festival in September and Friday's school fete raised more than £1,800 towards the bid.