THE ambitious dream of a headteacher and his staff to transform the school curriculum and create a radical new learning environment was nothing more than a wild flight of fancy four years ago.

But thanks to an enormous amount of hard work, imagination and a lucky gamble, Turton High School now boasts one of the most hi-tech and up-to-date media suites in the North-west -- and even rivals some of the country's leading universities for the quality of equipment and expertise on offer.

The finished development includes a large TV studio with editing suite, two IT rooms, 25 new classrooms, a circular conference room and a sixth-form common room and dining area.

The next phase of work, which should be completed by December, will see the demolition of the last temporary classrooms and the creation of a drama studio which will be linked to the editing suite and TV studio.

For headteacher Frank Vigon and his staff at the Bromley Cross school, the reality of the £1.8 million media suite has far surpassed their dreams and, since the development opened last November, they have continued to be amazed by the ability and eagerness of pupils to embrace the technology.

However, back in 1998 there was no clear idea of what Mr Vigon and his staff wanted to achieve other than revamping the curriculum and creating something which would be accessible to all departments.

As the world of media and communications was rapidly developing, the school applied for specialist arts status at the same time as asking for Government cash to demolish two 1970s temporary blocks and replace them with a 25-classroom development and technology suite.

If they had been turned down for either application, the other might have failed to get off the ground, as both bids were so closely linked.

Mr Vigon admits there were times when his staff felt neither bid would be successful and their ideas for the futuristic media centre attracted raised eyebrows when they started to look for sponsorship.

It was only when the Bolton Evening News provided £5,000 in sponsorship that other companies jumped on board and the project began to gain weight and credibility.

"Lots of companies were willing to listen to us, but thought we were taking a wild flyer," said Mr Vigon. "I had gone into the doldrums just before the Bolton Evening News promised to help, but once we had got that support, it broke the log-jam and other companies were swayed by that.

"We just had to hope that within the following 18 months everything would come together.

"The funding for the new building work came through first and we very lucky that the local education authority came up trumps and promised us that even if we didn't get specialist status, they would support us in creating some sort of media centre.

"But then, only weeks later, the specialist status came through and the huge gamble had paid off."

The school received support from the British Film Institute and Technology College Trust in London, but the biggest challenge remained finding cash as £50,000 in backing was needed before applying for specialist status.

Deputy head Alyson Byrne had the unenviable task of co-ordinating the bids, but all staff contributed and the parents' association worked relentlessly to raise money.

The school, which has the new name of Turton High School Media Arts College, is now applying for a grant for tennis courts as the old ones were cleared to make way for the new development and there are also plans to build a design, editing and computer workshop. The final phase will include a sculpture park and outdoor performance area.

The new facilities will be used by community bodies, businesses and charities and other youngsters are already reaping the benefits as Turton is in partnership with six local primary schools.

Mr Vigon added: "We wanted a different approach to education. A successful school cannot sit back on its laurels, but must constantly re-evaluate."