SIX schools in the North-East have won specialist status, it was announced last night.

In the largest round of designations by the Government, 268 schools across the country gained the status in ten subject specialisms.

The region now has 100 specialist schools following the announcement by Education and Skills Minister Charles Clarke.

Specialist status allows a school to extend the range of opportunities available to students, which best meet their needs and interests.

Exam results show schools with a specialism do better on average than those without the status.

Wellfield School, in Wingate, has become the first in County Durham to be designated a specialist maths and computing college.

Headteacher Jennifer Elliott said: "We have been recognised for our pioneering teaching in both information communication technology and maths, and our improving standards in recent years have helped support our application.

"This is of major importance to the whole school, its partner schools and our wider community."

Bydales School, in Marske, east Cleveland, was also celebrating after achieving specialist status in technology.

Industry sponsorship has helped the school to raise more than £50,000, securing a £100,000 Government grant to create a £150,000 technology learning resource centre.

Headteacher Tony Hobbs said: "I am absolutely delighted. We have worked so hard for this and it really is a tribute to the dedication and determination of all our staff."

Other schools that achieved specialist status were: Parkside school, Wallsend, Tyne and Wear and Epinay school, Jarrow, Tyne and Wear, both for business and enterprise, Conyers school, Yarm, for maths and computing and Thomas Hepburn school in Gateshead, for science.