THERE were high kicks and whoops of joy at Poynton High school when they found out their high achievements in the arts had been nationally recognised.

The school has been given Specialist Arts School status after two years of hard slog by the arts department.

Everyone was disappointed last year when they did not make it to arts college status, but it also made them doubly determined to make the grade this year.

Last year stars from Coronation Street flocked to the school to help boost its bid for the status.

Sue Cleaver, who plays Eileen Grimshaw and is an ex-Poynton pupil, turned up along with schoolfriend and event organiser - Granada's Head of Light Entertainment - Nigel Hall.

Mark Simpkin, who was filming in Antigua at the time and now works for GMTV, also returned to his old stomping ground.

He said: "I wasn't brilliant academically but I did a lot of acting.

"My first performance was My Fair Lady and the teacher used to stay behind after school and help me learn my lines. She was fantastic."

Claire Kennedy, Head of Dance and Creative and Expressive Arts, spearheaded the bid with the help of the heads of the other arts departments.

She said: "It hasn't really sunk in yet - I still feel punch drunk because this has been my dream for so long.

"We had a glass of champagne on Monday morning to celebrate, and all the kids clapped when I told them about our success.

"We want to make it a centre of excellence for dance," she added.

"I am always so proud to see the kids dance and see what they can do - a lot of them are better than me now.

"Their discipline and dedication is wonderful.

"It's just such a thrill to see their faces when they are performing.

"They really deserve this - it's brilliant to be able to give them the opportunity to excel."

The pressure is on for the school to meet the goals they have set themselves in the proposal.

They must meet the targets in order to carry on receiving the funding each year.

And money will also be used in other parts of the school to ensure that non-arts subjects do not suffer.

They also hope to bring professionals into the school to run workshops and give the students to learn from working actors and performers.

Other proposals include introducing new courses for the sixth form and extending the numbers of students.

But it is not just the school that benefits.

Becky Patterson is head of drama. She said: "It's an amazing opportunity for so many arts groups and centres in the area.

"We want to run summer a school as well so the centre will be used all year round.

"And our links with other schools, such as Ducie High in Moss Side, are so important because it is such a multicultural school and the kids will be able to learn so much from each other.

"Our links stretch as far as Warrington and John Rylands University in Liverpool.

"But it will really make a difference to the arts in Poynton."

Headteacher Mark Wasserberg said: "Primary schools in the area will benefit hugely from the new status, such as having musical instrument teachers who will carry on teaching them when they continue to Poynton High.

"All the local arts groups are very keen to have opportunities to use the new facilities we will have here.

"The knock-on effect for them will be to increase their membership.

"The centre will be free for them to use - they will just have to pay the equivalent of heating and lighting, but no rent.

Other groups who will benefit are the Poynton Players, Poynton Vernon Brass Band, Poynton School of Dancing.

Friends of Leisure is a charity to help people with disabilities and will also reap the rewards of the school's hard work.

Mr Wasserberg said: "On behalf of the school I would like to thank all those who supported our bid with sponsorship.

"Without the £50,000 pledged we would not have been able to submit our bid at all."

The sponsors were: The Ward Blenkinsop Trust; The Technology Colleges Trust; BAE Systems; Nigel Hall; Rotary Club of Poynton & District; South & East Cheshire TEC; Henry and Leigh Slater; John Lees Independent Financial Planning; Pentith; Astrium; Rowlinson; Hall & Pickles; Royal London; Barclays Bank plc; Lightnin' Mixers; Arrow Business Centre; Poynton Pantry; Royal Bank of Scotland; James Burling Estate Agents; F Swain & Sons Ltd; Deanwater Hotel Alice Ford Accountant; Poynton High School PTA; Friends of Poynton High School and Poynton High School Fund.