A school is bidding to become the first in Sussex to gain humanities college status.

Governors at Cardinal Newman Catholic secondary school in Hove will submit an application to the Department for Education and Skills in March and hope to be granted the status by September.

Cardinal Newman, in The Upper Drive, has more than 1,800 students on its roll, with more than 300 in its sixth form.

Headteacher Peter Evans said the school's bid for humanities status had already gained some financial assistance from businesses in Brighton and Hove and had been offered support from both the education authority and other secondary schools.

Mr Evans said: "We are keen to work with neighbouring schools so that together we can develop further the excellent progress made by so many of our students."

Tuesday January 06, 2004