A SCHOOL in Darlington could start producing some of the country's most talented designers and performers after being selected as one of 38 new specialist schools.

Haughton Community School has been awarded a Government grant of £100,000 and arts college status by Schools Standards Minister Estelle Morris.

The school will also receive an extra £123 per pupil each year, until 2004.

The school is among 38 to have been given specialist arts and sports status in the Government's latest wave of awards. It takes the number of schools receiving specialist status since 1994 to 569, as part of the Government's push to improve secondary education and training.

Yesterday staff and pupils at Haughton School were celebrating the award, which will be used to improve facilities.

The biggest project will be the investment of £150,000 to create a theatre as a community venue.

Improvements to the school's music suite will also be part-funded by the grant.

Other money will be used to provide additional staff and equipment in the art department, and to encourage younger pupils to become involved in arts projects.

Head teacher Shelagh Potter said one of the school's aims was to become more involved in the community, especially through arts projects.

She said: "In short, we have worked long and hard to realise this dream for our students and our community.

"This will help us take a further step towards our dream of offering a first-class education to students of all abilities, and to truly be at the heart of our local community."

The school also hopes to fund artists in residence for primary and secondary pupils.

Ms Morris said schools selected for grants would be expected to attain higher standards in their specialist field.

The minister said: "The arts colleges will be engaged in creative programmes in music, dance, drama and design.

"And the schools will be expected to develop innovative projects in their specialist areas, to increase motivation and success across the whole curriculum.