A SECONDARY school is celebrating after becoming the borough's first music specialist school.

Bishop Justus School will now have music at the core of its curriculum with the aim of improving participation and performance in all subjects.

This includes playing different musical styles in art lessons to inspire a wide range of work and using music to teach pupils about sequences in maths.

It will also work with other schools in the area to raise their standards in the subject.

Last Thursday's announcement by the Department for Education and Skills comes after 18 months of work by the school in Magpie Hall Lane, Bromley.

It had to raise £50,000 in private sector sponsorship and draw up a four-year school and community plan to improve standards in music.

Headteacher Kathy Griffiths said: "This is testament to the hard work and effort put into the bid."