A CATHOLIC SCHOOL in Oxfordshire is battling to meet a March deadline to secure Specialist College Status.
Blessed George Napier school in Banbury is a Catholic voluntary aided secondary comprehensive in North Oxfordhire for pupils aged 11-18. The school has until March 7 to bid for a sports Specialist College Status. If successful substantial extra funds would be available to the school from central government allowing it to improve facilities and staffing levels.
Eileen Head, who has children at Blessed George Napier, said parents and staff had worked hard to raise funds for the bid. Part of the bidding process is for the school to raise an inital £50,000 to demonstrate its serious commitment to Specialist Sports College status. The government would then release funds of £500,000 over a four year period.
Mrs Head said: "The school has been fund-raising hard, including world cup football breakfasts with the games shown on a big screen before school, nonuniform days, parental conributions and support from local businesses.
"We have raised a magnificent £33,000 so far but time is running out, There is now only a week to go to raise the final £12,000. It would be a great pity of one of our better Catholic schools loses out on this extra financial investment because it falls short of the monetary target."
The school is appealing for donations and any offers of help. For details contact the headmaster Mr David Dawson on [email protected]