FOUR Bolton secondary schools were celebrating today after the Government announced four secondary schools have won specialist status.

Smithills School, Thornleigh Salesian College, Astley Bridge, Mount St Joseph's, Farnworth and Canon Slade School, Bradshaw will all become centres of excellence for different subjects.

From September Smithills School will become a specialist arts college excelling in the performing arts.

Mount St Joseph's will be regarded as a specialist school for business and enterprise, Thornleigh Salesian College will become a specialist in sports while Canon Slade will be regarded as excelling in the performing arts. The schools are among 217 around the country to gain the specialist status announced by the Department for Education and Skills today.

Little Lever High School, St Joseph's, Horwich and Turton High School already have specialist status in languages, sports and media arts.

Gaining the status means extra cash for the schools involved in their particular areas and a boost for their links with their communities.

The schools already have major plans for investing in new facilities. Thornleigh is hoping to create a new all weather area for use by the school and community while Smithills School will convert a former gym into a new performing arts centre.

Canon Slade is hoping to build a dance studio while Mount St Joseph's is planning a £2 million technological innovation centre to benefit the whole of Bolton.

Delighted Mount St Joseph's head teacher Penny Walker said: "Not only will this provision enhance the quality of teaching and learning in school but it will enable us to share expertise and resources with the whole community -- the family of schools, as well as parents and the wider community."

Headteachers jubilant over success