CONEY Green High School has been cherrypicked to be a specialist school in technology and will receive £100,000 to make it a leader in the field.

The news was announced by Education minister David Miliband on Tuesday (July 1), and means that from September the school will offer expertise and excellence in the subject.

And since Coney Green is to be federated with Radcliffe High School it means pupils from both schools will share in the benefits.

Diana Morton, executive headteacher, said: "I am absolutely delighted that Coney Green has been given the opportunity to share in the development of technology within the community of Radcliffe and with our family of high schools.

"The additional resources will enhance the teaching and learning experience for our students and cannot fail but to have a positive impact upon the raising of achievement."

Colin Jones, chairman of governors, was equally delighted. He said: "This is wonderful news for Coney Green High School and reflects the hard work of the staff in putting together a successful bid for the benefit of the students.

"This also augurs well for the future of education in Radcliffe as a whole."

In order to be eligible for specialist status, Coney Green High had to raise £50,000 from the private sector and prepare a four-year development plan, both for improvements in teaching and learning, and for involving other local schools and the wider community.

In return it will receive a one-off capital grant of £100,000 and £123 per pupil recurrent funding initially for four years.

Specialist schools have a special focus on their chosen subject area but must meet the full National Curriculum requirements and deliver a broad and balanced education to pupils.

They work within a named "family of schools" for the benefit of pupils beyond their own school boundaries and other groups of people in the wider community.

Radcliffe councillor Tim Chamberlain, who is executive member for lifelong learning, said: "Time and time again our schools have earned glowing praise from far and wide and once again their expertise has been acknowledged.

"I would like to congratulate everyone involved at Coney Green High for securing this accolade which is a wonderful reflection on the culture at the school."

Evidence shows that specialism improves opportunities for pupils. It allows schools to build a centre of excellence, and use that specialist excellence and ethos to raise standards across the board.

Bury South MP Ivan Lewis said: "This is excellent news not only for Coney Green but also for Radcliffe High and will give the federation of the two schools a tremendous boost. Achieving specialist status is not easy. This week's announcement reflects tremendous credit on the governors, headteacher, staff and parents."

He added: "Technology specialist status will bring with it significant new investment and supports the federation's drive to raise standards. We can now build on this and seek early progress on our vision for a new 'state of the art' Radcliffe school on one site."

Coney Green High is the fourth school in the borough to gain specialist status. Derby High will be the first ever designated science and art specialist school in the country while Broad Oak High will concentrate on sports and St Monica's on languages.