Abingdon's three secondary schools have failed in their bid to achieve Specialist Schools Status -- but they plan to try again in March.

Fitzharrys, John Mason and Larkmead schools joined forces in a bid to attract about £1.8m of Government funding to build and provide new teaching resources.

The actress Dawn French and screenwriter Richard Curtis supported the schools' campaign for specialist status.

The head of Fitzharrys School, Dr Phil Bloomfield, said: "Our bid was rather complex in that all three schools linked together. We will all try again in March with improved bids."

If the scheme eventually wins Government approval, more technology tools will be provided at Fitzharrys School. The resources would be used to help start a vocational GNVQ engineering course.

The money would also be used towards the cost of providing a multimedia art studio at John Mason School. The studio would be used for 3D artwork and video production.

At Larkmead School a performance theatre would be built.

John Mason School head- teacher, Jeremy Cunningham, said he was confident the bid would succeed next time.

He said: "We need to show more details on how our partners in the primary schools and the wider community will benefit from our plans."