Woolston High School, which will be closed down in 2012, has been awarded a specialist status for its work in science.

The Department for Children, Schools and Families gave the school the accolade despite it being set for closure.

Helen Jones MP said the decision showed that Woolston High School should not be shut down.

"The awarding of Specialist School status to Woolston High School shows that it has made significant progress.

"Congratulations to all at the school who have worked hard to secure this status.

"It is unfortunate, to say the least, that the Lib Dems and Tories have decided to close a school good enough to achieve Specialist School status," she said.

One of the chief reasons for the closure was that Woolston's exam results were worse than rival Padgate High School's.

Falling enrollment rates were also cited.

Last September councillors on the executive board voted to close Woolston High School rather than Padgate High School to address the problem of falling birth rates.

Padgate High School, soon to be renamed Lysander High School, is a Specialist School in technology and arts.