Bradley Stoke Community School is to become a specialist centre after a bid to become a combined languages and performing arts facility was successful.

The bid for specialist status was resubmitted after the school raised the £40,000 needed to submit the application to government.

Headteacher Dave Baker said: “Being chosen to become a specialist school is a major achievement for Bradley Stoke Community School as we have only been open since September 2005.

“It is a vote of confidence in what we have managed to achieve so far and validation of our plans to develop our curriculum and partnerships further.

“Specialist school status will bring additional funding to enhance the opportunities on offer for students at Bradley Stoke Community School and will also enable us to develop our languages and performing arts expertise with our local partner primary and secondary schools and provide support and opportunities for the wider community.”

Sheila Cook from South Gloucestershire Council said the authority was also backing plans for the school to add a sixth form centre.

“We are also very supportive of Bradley Stoke’s plans to add a sixth form,” she said. “We believe it will be an excellent development for the local community, encouraging more young people to go onto further education, to give them the best possible chance of studying at university or finding employment.”