A WHITEHALL windfall has put an Eastleigh school on the threshold of becoming a state-of-the-art centre for budding entrepreneurs.

Pupils at Crestwood Community School could be enjoying lessons geared towards business and enterprise by next September thanks to a £30,000 cash boost.

The government grant marks the end of a valiant yearlong effort by teachers, pupils and parents to raise £50,000 so they can apply for specialist status.

If the idea gets the thumbs up the Boyatt Wood school will be given an extra £100,000 to build two brand new computer suites and a learning resource centre.

Now senior staff must prove that all members of the community will benefit if the school becomes a specialist college. Headteacher Phillip Munday will tell education bosses the new facilities would be available for everyone including primary school children and adults.

He said: "We hope the bid will be successful. I will be disappointed if we don't get it."

Business and enterprise is one of the newer forms of specialisation schools can apply for.

Mr Munday said: "We think enterprise is something that applies to all children.

"It's about making learning relevant, which is what we think our students want. They see what they're learning is useful to them in the world of work.

"If we make it relevant they'll want to learn more. If they want to learn more they'll be successful."

Parent and audio-visual technician Rachel Elms was one of the many parents who helped raise the money needed for the application.

She said: "It's absolutely brilliant. It's a real relief. Fifty thousand pounds is a lot of money for a small school to raise.

"Hopefully this grant will give us a real boost."

Mike Windram, chair of the Crestwood board of governors, said: "A lot of work has gone into this. It's a major exercise and that's why we're really delighted to get the additional funding from the government and hope we're successful.

"We believe we have a good bid with good proposals which would help develop a good relationship with the community and other schools.

"I think this is very important for the children."