Fulham Cross School and Phoenix High School were named this week among 268 new specialist schools in the country by the government. Fulham Cross has become a languages specialist school and Phoenix High has gained science and maths specialist status. This means both schools will be able to improve the curriculum and facilities in their chosen areas. Specialist schools receive a one-off capital grant from the government of £100,000, plus an annual grant of £129 (from September 2004) per student over four years.

Jan Cartwright, headteacher of Fulham Cross School, in Munster Road, Fulham, said: "The school will receive extra funding to support an enlarged languages curriculum, building on the already excellent languages department and the linguistic skills many of our students already possess. We will also benefit the local community by offering a wide range of language learning for adults and pupils in other Hammersmith & Fulham schools."

The school will receive extra government money and sponsorship from John Lyon's Charity to enable language classrooms to be refurbished and audio visual equipment and Information and Communications Technology to be enhanced. The school currently offers French and Spanish at GCSE, as well as encouraging pupils to take GCSEs in their home languages. From September the school will be offering German and Arabic at GCSE to any pupils who want to study these languages. After-school and Saturday language classes will also be established for local adults and children.

Miriam Blankson, the school's co-ordinator of modern foreign languages, said: "We are looking forward to becoming a centre of excellence in the local education authority and enriching our pupils' education with the benefits of our new status."

Phoenix High School's new status as a science and maths specialist school will also mean enhanced facilities and stronger links with the community, including local primary schools.

Headteacher William Atkinson said: "The fact that we have been awarded specialist status is recognition of the improvements we are making in the school. This designation will help us to further enhance the already good offering we have in science and maths and we will be working more closely with local primary schools. The extra funding will enable us to install more interactive whiteboards and wireless internet access in the maths and science areas. We will take on additional staff to support outreach work with primary schools and the community."

Specialist schools have a special focus on their chosen subject area but must meet national curriculum requirements and deliver a broad and balanced education to all pupils. There are now ten categories of specialist school: technology; languages; arts; sports; business & enterprise; engineering; mathematics & computing; science; humanities and music. Schools can also combine any two specialisms.

To apply for specialist status, schools must raise £50,000 in private sector sponsorship (less in the case of small schools with under 500 pupils on roll) and draw up a four-year school and community plan to raise standards, increase provision and encourage take-up in their specialist subjects. The Government is expecting that over 75% of all secondary schools will be specialist by 2006.

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