A SCHOOL has announced plans to become one of the region's first business and enterprise colleges.

Sunnydale Comprehensive School, Shildon, is hoping its bid for specialist school status will provide major opportunities for students and the community.

Deputy headteacher John Sewell, who is co-ordinating the bid, said: "Companies based on knowledge, creativity and services are taking over from traditional manufacturing industries.

"Pursuing the new business and enterprise specialism will help us to equip the community with the skills to take this change in its stride."

Business and enterprise is one of four specialist school categories announced by the Government this year.

Mr Sewell said that if Sunnydale became a specialist school, economic and business understanding would underpin the curriculum.

Business studies and entrepreneurship, with a range of vocational subjects, are already taught at the school. Activities during and outside lessons would look to encourage students to develop the skills needed to function effectively in business.

These would include improving creative thinking, personal initiative, self-confidence, problem-solving, decision-making, accountability and the ability to present information and communicate well.

Activities would be focused on the use of modern technologies.

The management team at the school is drawing up a four-year development plan detailing targets to improve standards across all subjects.

A community plan will also be devised, featuring learning and leisure opportunities for people of all ages, building on existing links with partner schools and Community Learning Centre activities.

It is also hoped that new partnerships with industry and commerce will be pursued and existing ones strengthened.

Headteacher Peter Rogerson said: "Gaining specialist school status will provide additional spending power which will be used to deliver developments to benefit students and the wider community.

"It will lead to even better facilities and improve the scope for innovative teaching."

Mr Rogerson said that the school already had outstanding computer facilities and the foundations of what the Government required of a specialist school - good links with other schools, a well-developed community role and partnerships with employers and colleges.