THE Bishop of Hereford's Bluecoat School has been given a four-year extension to its technology college status.

It means that the school - which has met rigorous criteria laid down by the Department for Education and Skills - will continue to receive extra funding to develop its expertise in teaching maths, science, technology and Information and Communication Technology.

The status, first achieved in 1997, has brought with it massive investment in cutting-edge technology, including refurbished science laboratories, ICT enhancements and state-of the-art integrated learning systems for pupils with learning difficulties.

Technology college status means, too, that knowledge, skills and sometimes equipment are shared with other local primary and secondary schools.

Both St Paul's and Hampton Dene now have access to the school's network via a fibre optic link, Goodrich and Whitchurch Primary schools will receive new computers and software, while Weobley High School will shortly receive financial support for ICT.