LAUNCHING a new status is just the beginning of exciting times for Morecambe High School.
A recent launch ceremony saw special guests celebrate with pupils and staff the official launch of the 'Morecambe Community High School Specialist College for Maths and Computing'.
A host of guests were involved to help commemorate this momentous occasion including Professor Patrick Lawther, a past student of Morecambe Grammar School; the Mayor of Lancaster, Coun Helen Helme; past Headteacher Stephen Allott; Morecambe MP Geraldine Smith; Morecambe FC manager Sammy McIllroy and TV 'Cash in the Attic' presenter, Paul Hayes.
Morecambe Football Club decided to do their training on the school sports field on the day which brought a large crowd of student supporters at break time. The team then joined the other guests for lunch in the school library.
Perhaps the most important people taking part were the children from partner primary schools who took part in a series of Maths and ICT activities.
The prestigious label means Morecambe High School becomes the first Maths and Computing College in the Lancaster and Morecambe area.
The status is in recognition of Morecambe High School's potential to become an outstanding school and the school's continuing improving in GCSE and A level results.
The school chose to bid for Maths and Computing status because it believes that maths and ICT, along with English are key areas for ensuring a high quality education. This is reflected by our high 5A*-C (inclusive of English and Maths) results.
Head teacher, Mr John McNaughton, said: "I would like to thank our PTA for their sterling work in raising a significant part of the £50,000 required for the bid. Other significant sponsors include our parents, Heysham Power Station, Ogden trust, Patrick Lawther Trust and Mrs Angela Bowen, a successful past student."
Specialist status means the school receives £150,000 in Year 1 to spend on either buildings or educational equipment. Morecambe has a new technology building near completion and plans to spend this money on ICT. This will help the school to equip all of the teaching rooms with digital projectors and many also with Interactive Whiteboards.
Over the next four years around a further £640,000 will be spent on additional staff and projects to support development relating to Maths and ICT both within the school and also for the benefit of the wider community and business partners.
Students at Morecambe High School will see the impact of Specialist Status through the increased use of technology to enhance the standard of teaching and levels of student independent learning.
Conditions of the status stipulate that 30% of the money must go into community linked projects. This will include free ICT and maths related courses for parents and targeted local community groups. Local feeder schools will also benefit from access to the boosted resources and from close collaboration from the Morecambe High school staff.
Mr McNaughton added: "Specialist Status marks a new phase in the history of Morecambe High School and will mean many new developments in the next four years but one factor will always remain constant - our commitment in striving for excellence and providing the best opportunities for every child in our care."