The latest group of 51 specialist schools will join a scheme pioneered by the last government, which saw the specialist centres as a way of pushing up standards in the state sector and providing an example of good practice for neighbouring schools.

Specialist schools will bring diversity to the comprehensive system, Estelle Morris said on Radio 4's Today programme

Under the Labour government, Estelle Morris said, the emphasis for specialist schools will be on sharing expertise and resources with local primary and secondary schools, so that all the children in the surrounding area will benefit.

By September there will be 330 specialist schools across England, with the intention of 450 such schools being open by 2002, representing a seventh of English secondary schools.

All state schools can apply for specialist status, but first they have to show that they can raise £100,000 in private sponsorship. Each of the schools selected is entitled to receive £100,000 in matched funding, plus an extra £100 per pupil.

These additional finances are merited, the minister said, because there was evidence that specialist schools were proving effective in raising standards. Of last year's 100 most improved schools, 17 were specialist schools, Estelle Morris said.

Newly-announced specialist schools:

Technology Colleges: