ELEVEN schools in the region were celebrating their newly acquired specialist status yesterday following months of hard fundraising work.

Staff, parents and pupils at the schools threw themselves into raising the £50,000 of sponsorship each needed in order to qualify for the award.

Yesterday, they learned their efforts had been rewarded with specialist ratings in a range of areas from maths and science to arts and business.

It means that over the coming years they will qualify for hundreds of thousands of pounds of extra funding for more teachers, classroom expansions and extra equipment.

At Hurworth School, in Darlington, which was awarded specialist maths and computing status, the extra money will fund at least two additional teachers and a new classroom.

Eamonn Farrar, Hurworth's headteacher, said: "It was a phenomenal effort to raise the money but it has been worth it.

"It will give us the next big platform to move forwards."

Specialist status in science for Teesdale School, Barnard Castle, means an upgrade of all its science labs and the creation of additional ICT facilities.

Headteacher Paul Harrison said it was the start of a new era.

"I feel this is the best thing that has ever happened to the school.

"We have already enjoyed success but Science College status will enable us to move forward at a faster rate," he said.

Yesterday's Government announcement means that half of County Durham's secondary schools now boast specialist status.

They include Ferryhill Comprehensive, which will specialise in business and enterprise, Framwellgate School, which will specialise in science and Roseberry School, Pelton, near Chester-le-Street, which will specialise in sports.

Keith Mitchell, Durham County Council's director of education said: "These schools deserve the warmest congratulations because there is a huge amount of work involved in pursuing a bid and raising significant funds from the private sector."

In North Tyneside, Marden High School gained specialist arts status while St Michael's RC Comprehensive, in Stockton, was awarded specialist science status.

In North Yorkshire, Richmond School was celebrating its arts status and the prospect of extra funding for a new arts block with a drama and dance studio and the resources to bring in more artists in residence. Headteacher Phil Beever said: "We've had fantastic support from the community. It's been a real team effort."

Other successful schools included: Oaklands School, York - sport status; Boroughbridge High - arts status and South Craven School, which has achieved engineering and technology status.