TWO Maidstone schools are bidding to become seedbeds of business enterprise.

Invicta Girls Grammar and Maplesden Noakes aim to be among the first in the county to win lucrative business and enterprise status.

Seven Kent schools could net £592,000 (for a school with 1,000 pupils) from the Government if their bids succeed.

But each has to raise £50,000 before they can be considered.

Invicta is best placed to become the first school in the county to achieve the accolade because it has already raised the necessary £50,000 from business sponsors, donors and fund-raising events.

Headmistress Sue Glanville told a gathering of would-be enterprise schools in Canterbury Business School that she was very excited by the prospect.

"We didn't feel the previous specialist areas were right for our school but when they launched the business and enterprise colleges, we knew it was for us," she said.

She admitted it would not be easy. "Only one in five schools get specialist status but I would very much like to get it. It really matches with everything our school stands for."

Maplesden Noakes has not yet started its fund-raising campaign. But deputy head Tony Ring said he was hopeful of support from the business community.

"We will target local business with professional presentations, say what we've got to offer and see if they are interested," he said.

Sponsors would be linked to a successful school and could share its resources, training opportunities and equipment.

While other schools are going for specialist status in sport, arts, technology, science, languages and maths, his school had chosen business and enterprise because those two areas covered the whole curriculum. "You can be an entrepreneurial drama person and scientist," he said.

Phillip Dean Kent County Council's secondary adviser, said this programme raised the standards and esteem of young people.

"I have seen children grow an inch as a result of getting specialist status," he said. "They know it is special."

He called on business and schools to forge partnerships to share the "exciting developments that will come through these business and enterprise colleges as they grow here in Kent."

Other Kent schools bidding for business and enterprise status are The Abbey School, Faversham; Fulston Manor, Sittingbourne; Dover Boys Grammar; St George's Church of England School, Broadstairs; and Wilmington Hall, Dartford.