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Carter Community School has reached its sponsorship target of £50,000 in time for the deadline for Sports College Applications which is only days away.

Following appeals from the school supported by the Borough of Poole and the Daily Echo, a subsidiary of Orb Estates, Poole Pottery Properties Ltd, has pledged significant funding of £50,000 in support of the school's application to obtain Specialist Sports College Status.

Peter Mills of Poole Pottery Properties Ltd, said: "This project is one we are thrilled to support, if successful, it will increase the provision of physical education and sport for students and residents across the local community. As the only sports college of its type in the region, Poole will once again set a precedent which other towns can only aspire to. We wish Dave and the school the very best of luck and all the support we can offer."

Poole Pottery Properties sponsorship, together with donations from the Roger Raymond Charitable Trust, Poole Harbour Commissioners, Innogy Plc (owners of the power station site next to the school) and Brittany Ferries, secured the school's bid.

Headteacher Dave Pratten said: "This is wonderful news. We have worked so hard to prepare the bid that it would have been a real shame to have been unable to submit it. I am extremely grateful to Poole Pottery, Orb Estates and all of our sponsors and particularly pleased that they are so close to the school. It demonstrates just how these companies are prepared to work together for the good of local people. So often developers are criticised but it is clear that these people are genuinely committed to investing into the community".

In October the school will submit their application to the Department for Education and Skills (DfES). If short-listed the school will face a visit from HMI inspectors who will make the final decision on the application. If successful the school will become a Sports College by September 2002.

Councillor Brian Clements, Executive Spokesperson for Education, said: "I am extremely pleased to see local businesses supporting such an important project. We strive to continue to improve local education for our pupils and their communities and the benefits of this facility will be of great value to the local people of Poole."

Sports College Status means that the school will receive a one off grant of £100,000 from the Government which will be used to part fund a floodlit all weather, multi-use games area for school and community use. In addition the school will receive £55,000 per year for 4 years, at least one third of which will be spent in the local community.

If successful the bid will support projects such as: Harbour Challenge, (a charity providing opportunities for local children to sail and canoe), Montacute Special School, Turlin Moor First and Middle Schools, Hamworthy First and Middle Schools as well as gifted and talented students from other secondary schools in Poole.