THREE high schools in Prestwich and Whitefield are to become centres of excellence.

Elms Bank in Whitefield, Parrenthorn High in Prestwich and Prestwich Community High will all become specialist schools from September.

Six schools across the borough have achieved specialist status, bringing Bury an extra £3million in funding.

The specialist title brings in £100,000 for each school to refurbish or construct new buildings, with £123 extra for every pupil for the next four years.

Although schools will focus on their chosen speciality from September, all national curriculum subjects will continue to be taught.

Elms Bank is one of a handful of educational needs centres in the country to obtain specialist arts funding.

The school aims to build on its existing strengths in visual art, drama and music with nearly £500,000 expected.

Head teacher Lynn Lines said: "We believe that we are only the third special school to be given special status in the arts, which is a real accolade for our staff and pupils.

"I would like to congratulate everyone who has helped us achieve this prestigious status."

New funding of £420,000 will equip Parrenthorn with the tools to become a centre of excellence in technology, and expand community use.

Head teacher Mick Fitzgerald said: "Everyone is absolutely delighted that we have been successful.

"It is a tremendous boost for all the staff, particularly those who devoted so much time to preparing the bid.

"Greater use of computers and up-to-date technology will enhance learning in all subjects."

And the stage is set for Prestwich Community High to excel in the performing arts with just under £600,000 for projects that include a new IT Suite and a dance and drama area.

Head Geoff Barlow said: "This designation comes at an exciting time for the school and rounds off a very successful year in which the school has now won five awards.

"I would like to reassure parents that we will remain a community comprehensive school offering academic excellence across the whole of the national curriculum."

To apply, each school had to raise £50,000 and submit a four-year plan of its aims to the Department for Education and Skills.

Included were details of how the proposals could benefit the wider community and other schools through a variety of initiatives.

The latest awards mean that 10 of the borough's 14 secondary schools will have specialist status. The three schools in Bury to win specialist status were Tottington High (maths and computing, St Gabriel's RC High (science), and Elton High (visual arts).

Education Minister and Bury South MP Ivan Lewis said: "This is excellent news for the three schools in my constituency and for Bury as a whole.

"This will see millions of pounds of investment come into our secondary system and will ensure that Bury's reputation for educational excellence is strengthened even further.

Coun Maggie Gibb, Bury Council's executive member for lifelong learning, said: "This is a huge boost for specialist teaching at schools across the borough, but also strengthens the capacity for all Bury's high schools.

"Ultimately, it will help our children to benefit from the development of expertise across the different subject areas."