A SECONDARY school is celebrating after being awarded specialist sports school status.

Risedale Community College, in Hipswell, near Catterick Garrison, had to raise £50,000 for the bid to be considered.

But receiving specialist status means the school will receive £100,000 from the Government.

In addition, there will be £129 per pupil for five years.

The money will be used to improve sports and information technology facilities at the school.

Headteacher Tadeusz Zarankosaid: "It is a tremendous thing for the whole community, and absolutely fantastic news.

"A lot of hard work was put into raising the £50,000 we needed in order to submit a bid.

"Sports status fits in very well with what we are trying to do at Risedale.

"But it is not just about sport, it is about raising standards right across all the subjects in the college and right across the community."

Mr Zaranko kicked off the fundraising campaign by taking part in last year's Leeds half-marathon.

Staff also completed a sponsored long-distance cycle ride and local businesses donated money.

Specialist status will be officially awarded to the college in September.

Risedale School leads a local school sports partnership, which involves 44 primary schools and five secondary schools.