EDUCATION on the North Yorkshire coast has received a boost with the news that two leading schools have been granted specialist status.

Whitby Community College and Scalby School, in Scarborough, have been named technology colleges.

Their success will lead to an injection of Government cash for improvements over the next four years.

Both will receive an extra £100,000 for equipment and four annual grants of more than £100,000, starting in September.

Staff said they would put the money towards bringing new technology to the area, giving increased career opportunities to students.

Scalby will focus on extending IT facilities throughout the campus, while Whitby is to develop IT-based learning as a way of raising academic achievement in all subjects.

Rachel Totton, headteacher at Whitby, said: "Everyone at the college is thrilled by our designation as a technology college.

"We have had fantastic support from students, parents and the local community, who were all willing the staff and governors to success.

"It is very exciting to be able to move forward now in putting our plans into action. We have every intention of using specialist college status to provide excellent new opportunities for our students."

Scalby School caters for more than 1,000 pupils from the north of Scarborough, Scalby itself, and villages to the north and west.

Headteacher David Pynn said: "This is a tremendous boost for the school and, indeed, the whole community.

"The extra funding which will become available should allow us to offer extended opportunities to all our pupils, but, in particular, IT, design and technology, mathematics and science."

County Councillor Chris Metcalfe, executive member for education, said: "This is a tremendously welcome boost to education on the east coast.

"Schools in the area are very keen to raise standards and to try new ways of working and the county council is working in partnership with them."