Abbey College, in Ramsey, near Peterborough, was awarded specialist status in technology earlier this month.

The award means that the school will have improved funding and resources for the subject for the next three years.

The school will be celebrating the achievement next month, when it officially opens its new state-of-the-art engineering suite on Friday, July 11.

Dr Charles Dalleywater, specialist college manager, said: “This is the first time that the new school has been through the process of approval as a specialist college. Through this we are committed to raising standards, enriching pupils’ learning and supporting learning for key groups in the community.”

Hot on its heels came the Silver Artsmark award from the Arts Council, in recognition of its outstanding commitment to the arts.

The award is open to all primary and secondary schools in England, and is given at three levels, Artsmark, Artsmark Silver and Artsmark Gold.

Only 10 schools in Cambridgeshire have received the award this year.

This is the first time that the college has applied for the Artsmark and it represents the culmination of two years’ hard work by the whole school community led by Dr Gill Bainbridge, director of learning for creative and performing arts.

Dr Bainbridge said: “This has been an exciting whole school and community initiative.

“I am immensely pleased that everyone’s dedication and commitment has been recognised.”

As part of its commitment to the arts, the college played host to the annual area combined schools’ music concert on Wednesday.