ERMYSTED'S is to submit a bid to become a specialist school in science with mathematics.

The Skipton grammar school was unsuccessful in an earlier bid for specialist status in maths and computing, but is optimistic that it will meet with more success this time to achieve the specialist status by September 2006.

Chairman of governors John Spencer, speaking at the school's speech day, said that Ermysted's had the background and performance to support its bid.

He said that specialist status in science with maths would not be to the exclusion of other subjects which would retain equal importance. However it would bring considerable financial benefit.

Mr Spencer paid tribute to five teachers who had left the school in the last 12 months who between them had 124 years service - Ian Douglass, John Wiggan, Vernon Rooke, Phil Cawood and Paul Whitaker.

"Their devotion has been majestic," he said.

In his report of the year, headmaster Tom Ashworth was able to record high standards of achievement both in exams and in non-curricular activities. This had been achieved despite a difficult year due to the absence of a number of senior staff.

However Ermysted's finished in the top 20 state schools for A level results. The school was also in the first rank for the Government's "value added" tables which measure how pupils progress.

Ermysted's has also seen considerable improvements and additions to the school buildings.

An area once occupied by swimming baths has been transformed into new music facilities and plans for a new refectory have been approved and are awaiting finance from the Education Department.

The original building (now the school office), constructed in 1875, has been rewired and new windows have been put in the 1930s' block, on the western side, at a total cost of £90,000.

"All the successes and opportunities for our pupils that I have reported on today, and many more besides, do not just happen," said Mr Ashworth. "The life of a teacher is by no means becoming any easier and, like many other professions, the demands are increasing almost weekly.

"Whether it is an involvement with sports teams, taking pupils on trips or outdoor activities, involvement with music or drama, the list is endless. I am very grateful to my colleagues for the enormous amount of their time that they spend to the benefit of our pupils."

Prizewinners were: Skipton Town Council Shield - Adam Stockbridge; Iain McLeod Prize - Christopher Chew; Paul Chadwick Prize for fine craftsmanship - Robert Carr, Jack Chew; Fleming Essay Prize - Robert Pepper; Longden Smith Prize for rugby - Addison Southam; Jimmy Harrison Prize for progress in senior rugby - Matthew Kitching; Peter Rose Prize for cricket - Tom Baines; Simon Lewis Prize for the most promising cricketer - Chris Baines; Drama Prize - Oliver Gregory; Philip Osborne Public Speaking Prize - Stephen Bloxham; Philip Osborne Dramatic Society Prize - Sam Headey; Doris Altham Barker Prize for musical achievement - Gregory Coughlin, Sam Parry, Michael Fox; David Morgan Prize for a prospective medical student - Ben White; Neil Townson Memorial Prize for achievement in geography - Oliver Barrett; Head of Sixth Form's Merit Prize - Richard Bourn; Parents' Association Fortitude Prize - Kevin Timmins; Arthur Coe Prize for distinguished service - David Horton, Robert McLean; Foundation General Efficiency Prize - Joe Mercer; and Old Boys' Association head of school prize - Christopher Pollitt.

Form prizewinners were: 7E - Ben Howlett; 7H - Vahan Salorian; 7M - Jamie O'Neill; 7W - Thomas Bendall; 8J - Andrew Cairns; 8K - Thomas Woods; 8L - Toby Coughlin; 8S - Matthew Harrison; 9G - Jonathan Green; 9P - Mark Gregory; and 9T - Daniel O'Neill.

Junior School prizewinners were: art - James Birtles, biology and English - Sam Winward; chemistry and religious studies - Mark Gregory; design and technology - Richard Mason; French and maths - Josh Armitage; geography - James Whitlam; German - Tom Davey; history and Latin - Christopher Richards; music - Henry Phillips; PE - Adam Yates; physics - Edwards Wardl.

Middle School prizewinners were: art - Joe Mitchell; biology and maths - Kevin Flatley; PE - James Kelly; chemistry - Edwin Rothwell; design and technology - Alex Turner; English - Lloyd Butterworth; geography - Robert Carr; history - Conor Cahill; information technology - Alex Turner; languages - Gianluca Consoli; Latin - Giles Pappin; languages - Thomas Pascoe; music - James Watson; physics - Sam Hollings.

Senior School prizewinners were: Art - Jim Whittock; biology and chemistry - David Horton; design technology - Christopher Holden; economics - Harmic Davidkhanian; English - Oliver Gregory; French - Martin Cichcoki; German and maths - Christopher Pollitt; geography - Jim Whittock; history and Latin - Robert McLean; classical civilisation - Christopher Wilson; linguistics - Ben Leong; music - Sam Bradley; PE - Justin Murr; physics - Robert Anderson; further maths - Jack Eyre; religious studies - Daile Coope, Robert Pepper.