A Staffordshire school has won specialist status as a media arts college.

Maryhill High in Kidsgrove will become a training ground for the next generation of journalists, radio presenters and sales reps.

The school raised £57,000 over two years - £7,000 more than the required target – to support the bid.

From September, a capital spending project of £150,000 will be pumped into Maryhill to equip and enhance its teaching facilities and a percentage of that money, along with yearly cash injections, will benefit both students and learners in the local community.

The investment will result in newspaper editing, website design, video diaries, radio broadcasts and tips on customer care all being added to the school curriculum.

Other schemes include taking media skills into local primary schools to enhance lessons and working with Newcastle-under-Lyme College to offer further courses in media and related subjects.

Headteacher Jane Holland said: "Part of our specialism commitment is to share our expertise with the local community and we hope to encourage learning at all levels.

"We will be holding video workshops, creative writing sessions, holding a film festival, creating street poetry with a very enigmatic poet and even launching Kidsgrove's very first community radio station.

"The granting of our specialism only boosts our learning opportunities and encourages our students to achieve more. Exciting initiatives are taking place here at Maryhill High School and we also have the accolade of being Staffordshire's first ever Media Arts College."

• Specialist schools have a special focus on their chosen subject area but must meet the full National Curriculum requirements and deliver a broad and balanced education to pupils.

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