AN initiative by Framwellgate School to improve science teaching across the country is to go ahead, thanks to a £1,000 grant from Rolls-Royce.

The car company has given the school the cash to put towards setting up a website offering advice and resources for teaching applied science, an A-Level subject pioneered at Framwellgate.

The website was the idea of Michele Francis, the school's director of science.

"I wanted to enhance teaching and learning in applied science, because it was only set up in September 2005 and there were no textbooks or resources, so we've had to develop our own," she said.

"I came up with this idea to produce a website, where teachers from anywhere in the country can upload and share resources.

"I was very pleased to hear that we had got this award."

The website will cost £3,500, and Mrs Francis hopes it will be online by October.

The site was one of 50 Special Merit Award winners in Rolls-Royce's Science Prize 2007.