MALTON School is calling on the local community to help it raise £10,000 by the end of the month in its bid to become one of the first schools in the country to specialise in science.

The school has already raised £40,000 since last September but must make its target of £50,000 by the end of February to enable it to apply for science college status in March, when bids from schools across the country will be considered.

A successful application would see the school receive nearly £400,000 of government funding over four years to upgrade its science facilities and strengthen its links with surrounding primary schools and the community.

The school is asking local businesses, organisations and individuals for donations to the appeal which would help fund the construction of a new two-storey science block on the east wing of the school.

Deputy headteacher Stephen Fearnley said: "Local businesses, organisations and individuals have been very supportive and generous and we are now making a concerted effort to reach our target by the end of the month. It will be a tremendous asset and boost for both the school and the Malton area."

Public funds are already in place for the first phase of development of the new science block, starting in July, which will the see the new building erected and two laboratories on the bottom floor completed.

Phase two of the development, which will see two laboratories on the second floor built, is dependent on a successful science college status bid.

If the school misses out this time round, it intends to bid again in September. But headteacher David Roberts said the school was focusing its efforts on a March bid, as this would greatly assist the building process. If a bid is submitted next month, the school expects a decision in June.

Mr Fearnley said that Malton had a wealth of businesses involved directly and indirectly with science. Mr Roberts added that there was a shortage in the local labour market for science-related jobs.

Funds raised were boosted earlier this month by a £5,000 donation from the town's Fitzwilliam Estate. Roddy Bushell, manager of the estate, said it had enjoyed a long association with the school historically and was pleased to be supporting the bid.

Proof that the pupils and their families are behind the bid came back in September when the whole school raised £7,000 on its annual sponsored walk - £2,000 more than has ever been raised in the past. Since then, the school's trusteees have pledged £10,000, various local firms have give three and four-figure sums and Malton Town Council have donated £1,000.

Parents and former pupils have also contributed, including one donation from an ex-pupil who attended the school in 1929. The latest fundraising event was a non-uniform day on Valentine's Day, when it was hoped £500 could be raised.

Mr Roberts said the school had opted to specialise in science because it was the largest part of the GCSE curriculum and therefore the move would have the biggest impact. He said the three sciences also had a high take-up at A-Level. Mr Roberts stressed that attaining science college status would not mean the teaching of other subjects would suffer.

If you would like to make a donation, contact headteacher David Roberts on (01653) 692828, e-mail admin@malton.dialnet.com or write to Malton School, Middlecave Road, Malton, North Yorkshire YO17 7NH.

Malton School is holding two events next week to help raise funds for the science college status bid.

Following his popular talks on A Garden in Thornton-le-Dale over the last two years, deputy headteacher Stephen Fearnley is giving an illustrated talk on his favourite gardens in Yorkshire on Thursday, February 27 (starting at 7.30pm). Tickets for the event, which takes place in the school library, are priced £3 and are available from the school. Refreshments are included in the price.

On Friday, February 28, Swinton and District Excelsior Band is giving a performance entitled 'Swinton Goes Pop', featuring music from all the eras. The event starts at 7.30pm in the school's West Wing Hall. Tickets are £3 (£2 concessions). Please note that the school is closed for half-term until Monday, February 24.

Updated: 09:36 Wednesday, February 19, 2003