Tadcaster Grammar School is bidding to become a business and enterprise college.

If successful, the bid, designed to "foster tomorrow's entrepreneurs", will bring the school £850,000 of extra funding.

Head teacher Geoff Mitchell said that college status would improve the aspirations of the 1,614 students who attended the school and make them more employable by placing learning in a "real world context".

The school has to raise £50,000 in sponsorship from the local community and then the Government will give it £100,000 to help the school specialise in business if the bid succeeds.

Tadcaster Grammar School would then receive a further £700,000 over the next four years.

Business college status would mean that students would start learning about business and finance from the age of 11, with business studies forming a core part of the school's curriculum.

The school would use some of the extra funding to buy more computer equipment, reorganise their library to encourage more independent learning and further develop A-level teaching in subjects such as business studies, maths and ICT. Students would also go on more work experience placements and local business people would visit the school to discuss their experiences and give advice.

Mr Mitchell said that the school already had a good reputation for business and enterprise with a group of sixth-formers recently winning an all-expenses paid trip to New York when they came first in this year's National Pro Share competition.

Deputy head teacher Martyn Sibley said: "It will propel us into the 21st century, but our traditional values will still hold true."

He stressed that the school would continue to work hard to achieve good results in all subjects.

Mr Sibley also urged anyone interested in sponsoring the school to contact either him or head of business studies Craig Benoit on 01937 833466.

Updated: 16:33 Tuesday, November 05, 2002