Bradford is bidding to set up one of the country's first experimental education action zones which could transform schools into specialist centres of excellence for arts or sports.

The zones are at the heart of Labour's ambitious and imaginative plans to target areas of social deprivation where standards in schools are well below expectations.

The Government will insist on schools forming a partnership with the community and local businesses to focus on areas where learning can be improved and encouraged.

In return, each zone, which will consist of 20-30 schools, will get a Government hand-out of £750,000 over three years.

This will have to be matched by funds and resources from schools, education authorities, the community and business.

The money will not have to be shared out equally among the schools but could be used to target particular areas where there is the greatest need for extra help and resources.

Eccleshill Upper School is one school that will be keen to take advantage of the scheme.

Head teacher Neil Donkin told the Telegraph & Argus that he would like to see his school specialising on areas such as sport, drama, art and music - subjects that interest his pupils and which they tend to excel in.

Government adviser Professor Michael Barber said: "Through EAZs we hope to prepare consciously for the 21st century, to learn new ways of organising learning, seeing new partnerships developed and gain new insights into the way the system as a whole should develop.

"Those who lead EAZs will, therefore, be helping to invent the future."

Four groups of schools in Manningham, Keighley, Bradford North and Bradford South have shown strong interest in the project and are now putting together information for the education authority.

Only one bid can be made so the authority will have to select the strongest contender before the March 30 deadline.

Education chairman Jim Flood said: "We think the Government has a pragmatic, experimental approach to policy which, after the dogma and obsessions of the last administration, is wholesome."

The issue will be discussed at Bradford Council's education committee tomorrow.

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