[Gayle]

Mmmmm - I'm a little wary of these 'specialist' colleges, and not really sure they're a good idea. Everyschool wants to be a Technology College because that's what the most government money seems to be going to. So, it's in their interests to go for Technology status. As you've shown by the two sites you found that's two 'specialist technology' schools within a hop, skip and jump from each other. Are there any schools in Hyndburn going for the Arts or Humanities or even Business?

Plus, a discerning parent who wants the best for their child would want a specialist school in that child's chosen subjects. However, what child, at the age of 11, knows what will be their chosen subject? So parents could end up making the wrong choice for their child and ultimately damaging their future career.

I know these schools do cater for other subjects but their really nailing their colours to the mast by saying they are focusing on technology. It doesn't bode well for the less technologically minded, does it?

Also, it can separate friends at that age when you really need as many friends as you can get.

They might be successful in GCSE results but unless a town has a proper spread of 'specialist' colleges some pupils will undoubtedly suffer!