Vince Cable

Last week, MP Vincent Cable joined parents, governors and local business supporters at Hampton Community College as it launched its bid for specialist status in the Performing Arts with a display of drama.

HCC hopes to join other local schools with specialist status (Whitton - sports; Orleans Park - sciences; Teddington had its bid rejected).

The following day the Education Secretary of State, Charles Clarke, announced that the government would put more money into specialist schools and exempt many schools without a strong financial base from the need to raise £50,000 from local resources.

Vincent Cable said: "the evidence suggests that specialist secondary schools not only provide a centre of excellence but do better than average academically."

"There is a great spirit at HCC and I hope they are successful."

"One challenge will be to impress on the government that HCC is not full of children of affluent parents who can dig into their pockets to pay the £50,000 local contribution and that some of the cost, at least, should be waived."