Head is delighted as school scores a first (From Warrington Guardian)

Head is delighted as school scores a first

A DEPARTING headteacher is leaving his school with a remarkable legacy as it becomes the first and only media arts college in Cheshire.

The achievement of specialist school status in media arts marks the end of three years of preparation and fundraising by staff, pupils and parents of the County High School, Leftwich.

It will now receive more than £500,000 investment in the next four years.

Headteacher Alan Sieber, who is leaving the school in April after leading it throughout its bid, said: "We're absolutely over the moon.

"It's been a long haul but it's a wonderful reward for a lot of hard work."

The school had to raise £50,000 through fundraising and private sector sponsorship, which proved to be the most difficult part of the bid.

Alan said: "We are very grateful to parents who have done their bit with sponsored activities.

"Half of the money had to come from business - we approached something like 150 businesses and other organisations for help.

"The support of Mersey Television has been crucial and thanks also go to the Ward Blenkinsop Trust."

In practical terms, media arts college status, which officially begins in September, will mean a lot of additional resources for the school, including £150,000 on capital equipment and more than £100,000 extra funding each year for the next four years.

Investment in the field of media arts itself, which includes electronic approaches to music and computer assisted art, will benefit the entire curriculum of the school and surrounding community.

Alan said: "One of the reasons we chose to specialise in this area is that the kind of technology, equipment and staff support and training can be applied in lots of different parts of the curriculum.

"Young people are also interested in media and we knew it would capture their interest.

"The resources would also be shared with our partner primary schools and the community, which will be able to use the facilities."