A SCHOOL in Darlington has secured specialist sports college status after a donation from an energy company.

The Northern Electric Charitable Fund, held by Tees Valley Community Foundation, helped Longfield School with a £6,500 boost. It had to find £50,000 of private sponsorship to allow the school to bid for the status.

With this funding, Longfield has made a successful bid and is now the only sports college in Darlington. The school, with almost 1,000 pupils, can now gain a further £100,000 from the Government and £120 per pupil a year over four years. The status means many improvements can go ahead.

Headteacher Keith Cotgrave said: "The new facilities and equipment will mean much better physical education (PE), in which health will be paramount. It's not just about PE and sport. Our new status provides an impetus to drive up standards."

Longfield opened as a specialist sports college at the beginning of this month with many facilities already available, including a dance studio, a computer suite, a new classroom, refurbished changing rooms, gymnasium and two new music rooms.

Dr Jon Bird, director of external affairs for Northern Electric, said: "We are delighted to have awarded Longfield School £6,500. This money has opened up doors to allow further funding, which will modernise and update the school. The funding will allow brand new PE and sports facilities, not only for the pupils, but also for the wider community."