Henry Compton gain new specialist school status

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Henry Compton School, in Fulham, has been named by the government as one of 123 new specialist schools in the country by the government.

The school has become a science specialist college - enabling improvements to the curriculum and facilities at Henry Compton, which will be shared with other schools and the community.

Henry Compton will be able to refurbish a classroom to create a new science laboratory and install interactive whiteboards (electronic screens on which teachers display their lesson material) in classrooms throughout the school. Henry Compton also plans to introduce a wider range of science courses, including vocational courses, as part of national changes to science GCSEs from September 2006.

It joins a growing number of specialist schools in Hammersmith & Fulham, which are helping to raise standards in areas ranging from maths, science and computing to languages, with the help of up to £100,000 extra a year each from the government over four years.

Dinesh Ramjee, headteacher of Henry Compton School, said: " Our new specialist status will help us to continue to raise standards, develop the science curriculum in a more imaginative way and back it up with much-needed resources. We also plan to develop a second specialism in maths and offer science and maths support to other local secondary and primary schools. Science and maths are both strong at Henry Compton and we are keen to encourage more local students to succeed in these subjects. "

Community initiatives will involve students taking part in information technology projects with two Fulham businesses - Barrs Security, in Fulham Palace Road, and Sprats and Sons hardware store, in Fulham Road, which wants the school ' s help to set up a website. The school will also be working with targeted community groups to develop their ICT skills and financial management.

Henry Compton will receive a £100,000 capital grant from the government to improve facilities plus an extra £129 per pupil per year (equivalent to about £75,000) from the government over the next four years. Sponsorship for Henry Compton ' s successful science college bid has come from the Moody ' s Foundation (£25,000); Dr Edwards and Bishop King ' s Fulham Charity (£10,000) and Microsoft computers (£15,000).

Cllr Melanie Smallman, cabinet member for education, said: " Henry Compton School is already helping students to achieve well in science and maths. I am delighted that the school has been given a further opportunity to continue to raise standards and share their impressive experience and resources with other schools and the community. "

The borough ' s other specialist schools are Sacred Heart High (maths and information and communications technology); Fulham Cross (languages); Lady Margaret (maths and ICT) and Phoenix High (science and maths).

February 5, 2006