"Specialist" schools status

[Popolly]

A number of the state schools in my LEA have a 'specialist status' against them - some have a 'specialist science' status, whereas others have arts or languages etc.

I assume all schools follow the same curriculum, so what does this mean in practice? Do the schools have to use the designated funding they get towards that specialism, or towards anything at all?

Just wondering what it means in general really, any help would be appreciated!!

Means diddly squat as all the funding dried up with the change in government

It can mean that certain subjects are compulsory at GCSE level: dd's school has specialist status for tech- all pupils have to do one tech GCSE. A school with specialist science might, I suppose, insist on triple science.

DD's school is a science college - the top sets do triple science and as many of the next sets as possible are encouraged to

DC's school has science and technology status and it also means that 10% of intake as aptitude for technology.. They also have links with local companies such as Glaxo Welcome. If a child gets a place under the aptitude for technology then they are supposed to take a technological GCSE but in practise they don't force it.
They also get an extra ofsted to inspect their science department.

At a local school with language status, the dc that are accepted under aptitude for language take extra languages from yr7 such as japanese.

DS1's is a 'specialist sports college'. Much to our surprise, it's brilliant for our football-hating boy, because it doesn't just offer traditional sports but lets them try out lots of non-team sports like climbing, mountain-biking, skating, rowing and sailing. It doesn't mean they have to take a PE qualification.

DS2's is a 'specialist Business and Enterprise college'. Apparently they have strong links with local industry and are encouraged to run cake stalls. Ho hum.

DD is hoping to go to one with a Performing Arts specialism.

DH and I are thinking of taking a Specialism in 'Local Secondary Schools And Their Specialisms'.