Redbridge Community School scooped £25,000 at a ceremony held before a recent Saints match at St Mary's Stadium.

The money came from HSBC Bank which is, along with Southampton Football Club, sponsoring, the school for its specialist sports status.

In order to get the prestigious status, the school, which is due to move into a new £10.3m building at the beginning of next term, had to raise £50,000 sponsorship.

On the pitch before the West Ham match were head teacher Richard Schofield, pictured, and pupils from the school. They were presented with the cheque for £25,000 by Lady Bond the wife of HSBC chairman Sir John Bond and Dame Mary Richard-son, chief executive of the HSBC Edu-cation Trust.

Mr Schofield said: "We were delighted when we received the news that we had been awarded specialist sports status. The backing of our two main sponsors, HSBC Bank and Southampton Football Club was vitally important in helping to secure such an honour."

He added: "I am pleased to be receiving this money which, together with the additional government funding we get over the next four years, will help us to provide additional sporting opportunities for our pupils, partner schools and community groups."

Dame Mary Richardson chief executive of the HSBC Education Trust said: "HSBC has been delighted to support Redbridge Community School's ambitions to become a specialist sports college, as sport is a real motivator to enable children to learn."

Southampton Football Club Academy Director Huw Jennings said: "We hope that everyone has a great day."