KINGSMEAD Community School in Wiveliscombe has become the only language college in Somerset after being awarded specialist status by the Government.

It means Kingsmead will be given substantial extra funding to develop the international dimension of the school and strengthen the teaching of foreign languages.

Kingsmead was one of 55 schools throughout the country to be raised to specialist status by Schools Standards Minister Estelle Morris on Tuesday.

The total number nationwide is now 534, including technology, arts and sports as well as language colleges. The latest tranche has just five specialist schools in the South West.

Head teacher John Wray said: "This is an outstanding achievement for the school.

"It will mean that our students from rural Somerset will be better placed to be able to play a full part in the quickly developing European and global economies.

"Kingsmead has always had a good track record in international education and this new status will mean many more opportunities for students and members of the local community."

Kingsmead pupils will now be able to learn languages to a much higher level, take part in foreign trips and learn about other countries.

The benefits are not limited to existing students at the school but will also strengthen twinning links and ties with businesses, for example.

Primary children will be able to start their language learning before going to secondary school, and there will be a wider choice of adult education language classes on offer at the community school.

Much of the extra money allocated to Kingsmead will be used to enhance IT facilities so that languages can be brought alive through e-mail, video conferencing and interactive language software.

Mrs Morris said: "Specialist schools have the confidence and the courage needed to question what works and what does not work and to translate this into new approaches to teaching and learning.

"Involvement of local businesses enables schools to provide a range of opportunities to enrich the curriculum in the specialist subjects and therefore reinforce learning."

Kingsmead had to raise £50,000 in sponsorship to apply for the new status and it received the support of a number of local businesses. Major sponsors included Swallowfield plc, EPS (Wiveliscombe), WPA and Mike Stacey Ltd, and many smaller businesses also contributed.

Mr Wray said: "I would like to publicly thank all those involved in the scheme as it will make a real difference to the future of lifelong learning at the school."

Three years ago, there were 181 specialist schools across the country and the current figure is well on course to meet the Government's target of 800 by 2003.

The programme started in 1994 with technology colleges, of which there are now 311. The first language college opened in 1995 and there are now 99 compared with 67 sports and 57 arts colleges.