A HOST of Hampshire schools are celebrating after being given clearance for specialist status.

The selected schools will be given a £100,000 grant from the government and £126 per pupil over the next four years to boost their areas of expertise.

Today's announcement means the county now boasts its first specialists in music and engineering.

Among the newly-designated specialist schools in Hampshire are Priestlands School, Lymington (arts), The Alderman Quilley School, Eastleigh (engineering) and Testwood School in Totton (sports).

Amery Hill School in Alton has become the first music specialist school.

The selected schools have been given the cash awards to further raise standards in their specialism and share their resources with partner schools.

A total of 46 of Hampshire's 71 secondary schools now have the status.

Councillor Don Allen, Hampshire County Council's executive member for education, said: "I offer my congratulations to all these schools on achieving specialist status.

"The designation reflects their success in a particular area of study, and the extra resources will allow these schools to develop specific areas of the curriculum which can be shared with other schools.

"All of Hampshire's comprehensive schools aim for high standards and the specialist initiative is a valuable means for supporting the development of our schools.

"These new specialist schools are part of the county council's policy to create a network of schools so that the sharing of good practice between them can be further enhanced."

Specialist schools have a special focus on their chosen subject area but must meet National Curriculum requirements and deliver a broad and balanced education to all pupils.