Greenhead High School has been awarded specialist school status.

The school has been given the prestigious status in mathematics and computing by the Government, and is now ready to put in the hard work to make it a reality in September 2006.

Supported by Education Bradford, the school raised £50,000 through sponsorship and fundraising to apply for the status, and the DfES now provides a further £50,000 in matched funding.

Greenhead's main sponsor was the Rothschild Community of Excellence, which contributed £40,000, and Keighley educational trust fund and local businesses were heavily involved.

Parents and children also contributed to the fund-raising process, carrying out various events.

Trish McCarthy, head teacher at Greenhead High School, said: "We are delighted to have gained specialist status as it will allow us to build upon our improved maths and ICT performance.

"There is a real feelgood factor across the school -- we are moving in the right direction. Little steps to making us a really good school. We want everyone in the community to recognise we are on the up and that they can support us."

She added: "We chose mathematics and computing because they are important subjects for our pupils, parents and the surrounding businesses. The hard work is just starting and we now have to transform the plans into reality."

The school submitted the application plans last November and gave a firm outline as to how it would raise standards and encourage take-up in the specialist subjects.

Greenhead will take up its specialist status in September. It will last for three years until re-application.

There was a strong emphasis on community involvement in the plans, and how the school was already working in partnership and would continue to do so, with other schools in the area including Holy Family School and Victoria Primary School. The school will also be working alongside Braithwaite Special School to enhance its maths and computing.

Gareth Chapman, deputy head, said: "We saw the potential and we think we can move forward in that direction. It's re-energising. We now complement other specialist schools that are in Keighley.

"This move doesn't mean all children do more maths and ICT to the detriment of other subjects. It will be the same curriculum with a heavy emphasis on maths and ICT. We can now offer something to the business community and prepare our students more for the world of work."

He added: "We want the wider community groups to be involved in this. If there are groups who have a need, they can approach us and ask. We are open to suggestions."

The school is now preparing itself for advances in the curriculum and staffing, and in general raising attainment across the whole school. Last year the school gained 37 per cent 5 A*-C grades and it continues to keep making significant improvement.

There are now 18 specialist schools across the Bradford district, including Oakbank High School, Holy Family High School and Parkside School in the Keighley area.