THE first virtual IT college, the Rural Academy was due to be launched at the North Lakes Hotel, Penrith, on Friday.

Appleby Grammar School is one of nine schools who have come together to form the new Rural Academy of Cumbria Technology College, and receive extra government funding as a Specialist School.

This is the first award of specialist status to such a partnership in a joint bid. The schools represent considerable diversity of character within a non-selective framework. Many are involved in teacher training with strong college links and all place a high priority upon educational research.

Last week the nine heads, governors and HSBC's North West manager Keith Adamson held the first board meeting of the academy at the Westmorland Hotel, Tebay, before going to London London where government officials will formally bestow the specialist status.

The nine schools that make up the Rural Academy are: Appleby Grammar School; Beacon Hill Community School, Aspatria; Cartmel Priory Church of England School; Ehenside Community School, Cleator; John Ruskin School, Coniston; Lochinvar School, Longtown; Samuel King's School, Alston; settlebeck High School, Sedbergh; and Solway Community School, Silloth. The academy presented a four-year school and community development plan to the DfES last year with ambitious but achievable targets and performance indicators.

The head teachers and a number of heads of department were briefed by the Department for Education and Skills in London on Wednesday. The Chair of the Academy and Head of Ehenside Community School, Sara Gaston-Parry, said: " These are exciting times for us. No longer will our students and communities need to feel disadvantaged because of isolation or shortage of resources. Our nine schools, working together as a technology college, will be able to offer a platform of entitlement from which all will benefit."

At the first board meeting of the academy since being notified that its bid had been successful, Mrs Gaston-Parry told The Messenger: "We are now putting everything we have discussed and planned into practice.

We are keen to move forward appropriately and deliver what our bid promises and, the most important thing of all, ensure our children benefit from the specialist status.

"The Academy bid represents collaboration at its very best. Our vision of becoming the first ever virtual technology college in the country is now achievable, thanks to the support of our sponsors, the authority and the DfES. By combining to create an infrastructure to serve over 2,300 students, the Rural Academy will become renowned for its performance, innovation and care for the individuals' learning a national and international model for success.

"Part of our commitment is to supporting our community. Each school liaises with its feeder primary schools to ensure they are also supported. Because of the nature of our schools, the community element is even more important. It is key to how we function in our rural communities. Schools can be the heart of the community."

The Rural Academy of Cumbria aspires to be a model for the delivery of educational culture, which is scientific, technological, enterprising and vocational and all in a rural setting. There is a determination to transform learning opportunities, raise expectations, and reduce community isolation. The focus on the specialist subjects will increase and improve the technological skills of the community away from traditional basic skills. This in turn will lead not only to a more highly and appropriately trained and employable workforce, but also widen horizons.

The schools are committed to lifelong learning and have the strategies and local knowledge to make this a reality - each school has an Adult Education Centre, and together they currently provide courses for over 3,000 adults. As local community schools, there are strong links with partner primary schools.

The bid for Specialist status was supported by sponsorship from national and local organisations and businesses. A total of £150,000 of financial support has been pledged to date by: the HSBC Education Trust, Cumbria Community Foundation, BNFL, Cumberland Building Society, the Carlisle Diocesan Board, Carrs Milling Industries, The Queen's College, Oxford and Furness Building Society. BT has also provided significant sponsorship in kind.