FOUR schools in the Beccles, Bungay and Halesworth area are to benefit from a prestigious government grant of £70,000 aimed at backing talented students.

FOUR schools in the Beccles, Bungay and Halesworth area are to benefit from a prestigious government grant of £70,000 aimed at backing talented students.

The Waveney Community Forum has secured the grant from the Department for Children, Schools and Families, for an inspiring 2-year project for the Gifted and Talented students in years 7 and 8 from six schools in Rural Waveney. The Community Forum's initiative is amongst just 23 similar projects nationwide.

Beccles Middle, Bungay Middle, Gisleham Middle, Halesworth Middle, Saint Felix School, Southwold and Worlingham Middle are the schools to benefit. They have formed a partnership, in liaison with the Community Forum, to pilot a different approach to creatively deliver Science and Maths, and students will jointly participate in six innovative modules. They include science and maths in the workplace; encouraging and developing strategic thinking; linking with the University of East Anglia's School of Chemistry, Science and Pharmacy; discovering how sports influences the working of the body; and learning about biodegradable and non-biodegradable waste.

A mentoring scheme will be set up as part of the project, so that volunteer mentors can help teachers and pupils achieve their learning potential and add expertise and enjoyment.

Ed Balls, Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families, said: 'I'm really pleased to see independent and state schools work together to help raise standards for all. I'm delighted that more schools, including Eton College, are now coming on board to ensure children can reach their full potential.'

The heads of the participating schools in Rural Waveney are delighted to be part of the exiting venture which will link schools, businesses, voluntary organisations and the arts. It is an enriching experience for all pupils as well as professional development and an opportunity for shared learning for teaching staff. It will celebrate the variety of talent present amongst young people in Rural Waveney.

Although this project is primarily aimed at the GT students, and its particular focus is on Science and Maths, Beth Derks, from the Waveney Community Forum, wrote the concept in such a way that all students will benefit.

Schools Minister, Andrew Adonis, said: 'I want to see a generation of highly educated people equipped to lead the country in the fields of science, maths and languages. These partnerships are part of the wider vision to achieve this. We can't afford to let talent go to waste.'

For more information, please contact Beth Derks, Project Manager, on sderks@onetel.com or 07810 731220.