School joy

Glyne Gap School, in Pebsham, will receive 340,000 in government grants to improve their facilities.

The scheme is intended to encourage top performing schools to share their expertise and further improve their standards.

The school, which has held Beacon status for the past eight years, will specialise in "cognition and learning."

Plans for the money include the building of a new internet cafe.

The school will receive 60,000 per year for four years, plus 100,000 to develop their site.

Glyne Gap, which educates children with learning difficulties, was one of 14 schools to be given specialist status on Tuesday by schools minister Andrew Adonis.

Head teacher John Hassell said: "It is a great tribute to all in the school community who work so hard and so effectively for the benefit of pupils with disabilities.

"Although an achievement by the whole school, particular credit must be paid to Di Gargett, deputy headteacher, who led the school through the process.

"The specialist schools status should make a considerable contribution to the work of the Bexhill Consortium of Schools.

"The consortium has been a major force in driving through initiatives that support learning for all pupils in the town."