New buildings and specialist status could be on the way for Dyson Perrins CE High School in 2004.

An application is being prepared to elevate the Malvern school into a specialist business enterprise and engineering college.

Renewal of the existing Sportsmark Gold award is also being sought, along with Artsmark Gold status.

Headteacher Peter Buchanan said he had reservations about labelling the school as a specialist college because he wanted it to excel in all areas.

"We want to be a school which is offering good quality education right across the board," he said. "Therefore, we wanted to think fairly carefully about this whole concept.

"I've never been one for collecting badges but this will mean more money per pupil."

The bid for specialist status requires Dysons to raise £50,000 in sponsorship. Mr Buchanan admitted that this was a lot of money, particularly since recent spending on new buildings at the school.

"Given the debts over our new buildings it's an interesting new target for us," he said.

"Virtually all the money we've raised so far has gone into the development fund. But I'd like to think we can get this sewn up this term."

Cash for the college application could come from the Specialist Status Trust and sponsorship from large companies.

The school is midway through an extensive building programme. The next phase is an extension to the entrance and dining room and two new English classrooms, funded by Worcestershire County Council.

The extra space is needed to cope with the expected influx of special needs pupils, following the closure of Cliffey House School later this year.

"The work will enable us to then develop two rooms that are currently being used to teach English to make a learning resource centre," said Mr Buchanan.

Work is expected to begin in the summer on building a community sports centre at the school, which will also be open to the public.