A BASILDON school is to become a specialist language college.

De La Salle School, in Ghyllgrove, has been awarded the prestigious status by the Department for Children, Schools and Families after proving it can offer its student top-class language facilities.

Headteacher Dr Michael Curnock said: "The school continues to thrive and a year on from our excellent Ofsted report we have gained further recognition as a specialist college.

"The modern languages department has been consistently successful over many years.

"The funding that comes with this will enable us to spread that good practice through the whole school."