The Schools Standards Minister, Estelle Morris, says that the expansion of the specialist schools programme will provide further examples of "diversity and excellence" within the state school sector.

Specialist schools receive up to £560,000 over three years to develop expertise in a particular field, which they are expected to share with neighbouring schools and the wider community.

Estelle Morris sees specialist schools as providing excellence within the state sector

The funding provides up to £100,000 in capital and £100 per pupil extra, which pays for new equipment and advanced teaching. As a condition of applying to become a specialist school, another £100,000 has to be raised in private sector sponsorship.

The latest announcement means that 350,000 pupils will be studying in 365 specialist schools, with the government aiming for a target of 500 schools in the next two years.

The current specialist schools are divided into 242 technology colleges, 61 language colleges, 33 sports colleges and 29 arts colleges.

Estelle Morris said that the £65m specialist schools programme was a key element of the government's efforts to encourage excellence within the education system.

The minister also announced that this September there would be an extra grant of £20,000 for specialist schools to help them develop closer links with the community and other schools.