STAFF and pupils at Crofton School in Stubb-ington have crowned a hat-trick of honours by being given specialist schools status.

The award, in science, means that the school will get hundreds of thousands of pounds in grants to improve its curriculum.

This award even tops the Healthy Schools and Investors in People trophies already picked up by the school in the past month.

Head teacher Tony Forrest said: "We have focused on making the school as good as it can possibly be. Science status will allow us to buy more equipment. Science and maths are already really strong subjects in the school.

"We've used them and will continue to use them to develop good practice within the school and at other schools. The finance will help us do that. This will give us extra resources to help youngsters in learning and teachers in teaching."

Six schools in the county gained specialist status in the latest round of awards.

It means that 61 of Hampshire's 71 secondary schools now have specialist status.

County education chief Councillor David Kirk said: "This is a great achievement and I would like to offer my congratulations."

To be eligible for specialist status, schools must first raise £50,000 in private sector sponsorship. They then receive a one-off capital grant from the government of £100,000, plus an annual grant of £129 per student over four years.

Schools use the extra resources to continue to improve standards across the curriculum as well as in their chosen area of expertise.

Specialist schools are also expected to demonstrate good and effective practice in their designated specialism and to have a detailed action plan.

Crofton School, in Marks Road, has 1,030 pupils on its roll.