A KENT school has less than a week to raise nearly £10,000 to secure a Government windfall.

Chatham South School in Letchworth Avenue, Chatham, wants to bid for specialist status in mathematics and computing.

But the school is still £8,800 short of the £50,000 needed to submit its application. Staff have until Wednesday to find the remaining money. If it fails the school could miss out on up to £100,000 of Government funding.

Businesses and individuals who want to help the school only need to pledge money at this stage. The money will not have to be donated until later in the process.

If successful in its bid Chatham South School will be the first non-grammar school in Medway to specialise in mathematics and computing.

Fiona Severns, head of maths at Chatham South, said: "We don’t want to lose out on applying for specialist status when we’re just a few thousands pounds short of £50,000.

"We know we have one of the best maths departments in the country and we want to start visiting primary schools in the area so youngsters can take part in projects and we can show them that maths can be fun.

"It also makes their transition to secondary school easier."

* If you would like to help Chatham South in their bid you can either call the school on 01634 404277 or you can visit the school in Letchworth Avenue, Chatham.

SEE MONDAY'S MEDWAY MESSENGER FOR FULL STORY.