SALTASH Community School have held an open day to celebrate their new specialist status as a science and maths school with computing. Organisations and members of the public who had sponsored the status bid were invited to the school to witness new technology in action. Local MP Colin Breed and mayor of Saltash, Sue Hooper, also attended the ceremony, which included a tour of the school. As part of their specialist status, the school are adding a rural dimension to the curriculum, whilst strengthening the ties with feeder schools and neighbouring organisations. In particular, the school features Agricultural Science as part of the Science GCSE set up. Future plans to accommodate livestock on the grounds are set to be completed by spring 2005, and will see the school working with Duchy College. The livestock area will feature ewes, lambs and calves as well as poultry, and will enable pupils to monitor the progress and development of the animals. A livestock technician will also be employed at the school. Tim Venner, Science specialist coordinator and deputy head of science, said: 'The status has allowed us to fund a wider curriculum that will benefit pupils and staff.' Karl Sampson, Deputy Head at the school said that the benefits of the specialist status could be immense: 'It has taken a year for the bid to come to fruition, but we are now able to offer an even better quality of learning and teaching.' Leigh Hughes, community learning and media coordinator was keen to express that although the specialist status is in maths, science and computing, it will extend to all subjects throughout the curriculum. 'Not only will the status strengthen our links with other schools, but it will also enhance teaching in all areas. 'We are experiencing a year of change here, as we are currently building a new sixth form building due for completion in January 2005, that will offer a new, enhanced learning environment for around 200 students. This will then hopefully free up room in the school for a media suite allowing us to teach Media Studies. All this is possible because of the bid. 'There is a tremendous buzz around the school. Everyone is excited, and with some hard work, the possibilities to transform the school are tremendous.' Saltash Community School is one of only six schools in the country to be awarded the science, maths and computing status, and is also one of only five to have a rural dimension to it's curriculum. With the school already sending teachers with specialist knowledge in language skills and computing to local feeder primary schools, the status has benefited a wide section of the community.