Durrington High School wants Worthing businesses to help it tap major Government funding.

The Worthing school is trying to become a centre of business excellence, in the same way Worthing High is a languages college and Davison High is a technology college.

Centres of excellence attract hundreds of thousands of pounds in funding but schools applying for such a prestigious title need to raise £50,000 from private sponsorship.

About 700 businesses were invited to the school to hear how supporting the bid could improve their reputation, customer numbers, recruitment and staff training.

Deputy headteacher Mark Anstiss was confident Durrington High, based at The Boulevard, would get the backing it needs.

He said: "The Government has been making specialist schools since 1994 and, over the years, they have gradually introduced more specialisms.

"This includes art, languages and, last year, a new designation in business enterprise.

"We knew this was the one we should do. Traditionally, business and enterprise are strengths in the school."

If the school's bid is successful, the Government will triple the money raised to £150,000.

The Government would also provide £123 per year for each of Durrington's 1,500 pupils for four years, amounting to £736,000.

Mr Anstiss said: "That is a significant amount of money which could be used to increase staffing levels, provide teacher training and enhance extra curricular activities.

"One of the key things is that a third of the money needs to be spent on the community."

The school intends to consult its feeder schools and local organisations about how they would want the money spent.

Mr Anstiss said: "We need £50,000. If we only need one person to do that, that's fine. Having said that, we want to build bridges with local industry.

"If we are going to become a business and enterprise college, we have got to build these kinds of links.

"We have already got other links in place because we operate applied GCSEs and all pupils do work experience."

A crucial part of the bid is a four-year development plan explaining how the school would use the money to raise standards across the whole curriculum, especially in the specialised subjects business studies, ICT and mathematics.

Mr Anstiss said Durrington High had until October to secure the sponsorship and compile the plan.

Another presentation evening for businesses is being held at the school's library on Tuesday at 6pm.

For more information, call Mr Anstiss on 01903 244957 or email sbes@durringtonhighschool.org.uk