TWO schools in the Stockton borough have been awarded a joint £75,000 grant to fund a three-year technology partnership.

David Miliband, schools minister at the Department for Education and Skills, announced the money for Yarm School and Grangefield School, Stockton.

The project will introduce computer aided design and the latest manufacturing equipment to pupils, who will take part in Saturday studies and an Easter school.

Stanley Bradford, Stockton Borough Council's corporate director of education, leisure and cultural services, said: "This is an exciting project focused on technology and its capacity to stimulate pupils' imagination. It is a good example of collaboration between independent schools and state schools for the benefit of all our young people".

The grant is part of the independent/state school partnership scheme run by the Department for Education and Skills.

David Dunn, headmaster at Yarm School, said: "We are thrilled to have been given the generous support for this project which will allow Grangefield School and Yarm School to develop close links over the next three years.

"I am sure that all the pupils involved will derive both benefit and enjoyment from the project and look forward very much to working closely with pupils and colleagues from Grangefield School".

Mick Hill, headteacher at Grangefield School, said: "I'm very pleased Grangefield School and Yarm School are going to be working together on this project. It will be exciting for the pupils and I am delighted at the collaborative nature of the project."