BICESTER’s Bardwell School has moved closer to gaining specialist status thanks to a cash boost.

The special needs school in Hendon Place needs to raise £20,000 before it can apply for specialist status in communication and interaction.

Thanks to a £3,800 cheque from Bicester Rotary Club the school is nearer to its target.

Most of the cash was raised from a St George’s Day dinner and a schools’ challenge.

Diners, who helped raise nearly £2,000, were entertained by pianist Michael Ng, nine, listened to a selection of readings and tapped their feet to a host of English folk songs.

Over the past few months, pupils at Bure Park, St Edburgs, Chesterton and Longfields primary schools and Bicester Community College, have taken part in a series of activities as part of the challenge, raising £990.

Organiser Michael Waine said: “This is a very special cause, so we pulled out all the stops to arrange something very special.

“The club is delighted with the response from the local schools and most grateful to all those in the Bicester community who made this such a successful and enjoyable venture.”

Rotary matched the amount raised by the students topping up the cash by £1,000.

So far the appeal has raised about £11,000.

Anyone who wants to donate to the appeal should call headteacher Chris Hughes on 01869 242182.