Two of the borough's secondary schools have been awarded specialist status giving them access to more money for big projects.

Archbishop Lanfranc School in north-west Croydon and Coloma Convent School in Shirley both successfully applied to the Department for Education and Skills (DfES) for specialist school status.

Coloma Convent, now a music college, will use the extra money to build a sound recording studio which will also be open to outside groups.

The school, which is also hoping to improve its international music connections, is looking to buy a set of Indonesian percussion instruments known as a Gamelan.

As a specialist school in sport and information communication technology, Archbishop Lanfranc is planning to raise pupils' self-esteem and in order to improve results.

Specialist school status initially lasts four years and depends on school performance.

Councillor Louisa Woodley, cabinet member for education, said: "It is excellent news Archbishop Lanfranc and Coloma Convent School have met the strict criteria needed to gain specialist status. They can now look to the future to provide an even better service of education and facilities for their pupils and the surrounding community."