HEADTEACHER of Princes Risborough School Gaynor Hartle has spoken out confidently in support of its bid for technology college status.

HEADTEACHER of Princes Risborough School Gaynor Hartle has spoken out confidently in support of its bid for technology college status.

School governors are to submit their bid for the prestigious new status next month. But the Merton Road school will not hear if it has been successful until early next year.

Mrs Hartle explained that the new status would benefit a number of schools in the Princes Risborough area because of its emphasis on encouraging 'family' links between schools.

She said: 'Technology college status will help to raise standards and start lots of projects for the school and also for the junior schools in Princes Risborough.'

As well as being expected to pool resources with local schools and forge closer links with local businesses bidding schools must secure pledges to the value of £50,000.

But if successfully approved by the Department for Education and Employment, Princes Risborough School would receive almost £750,000 over the course of seven years.

This would include an initial four year revenue grant of £120 per pupil to raise teaching standards.