THREE Southampton schools have today been granted specialist status meaning extra government money to improve facilities.

The newly designated specialist schools are Oaklands Community School (arts), Weston Park Boys' School (business and enterprise) and

St George's Catholic School for Boys (science and humanities).

All three schools will now be given £150,000 to improve facilities as well as £270,000 over the next three years to raise standards in their specialism.

There are now 11 schools in Southampton with specialist status.

The government today announced three other Hampshire schools were to be given specialist status. They are Cams Hill School in Fareham (science), Bridgemary Community School (sport) and Portchester Community School (arts).