Sir William Borlase's Grammar School is to launch a bid for specialist arts status to help it raise £2m needed for a vital new building.

If successful it would become a specialist performing arts school and receive funding from the Government.

The cash would go toward the anticipated cost of a new building of between £1.5 and £2.2 million to support drama and dance at the school as well as design and technology.

A new theatre would be built on the site of the present outdoor swimming pool and could be used by community groups in Marlow as well as local schools.

Headmaster Dr Peter Holding stated that the project would give a boost to the whole town if it goes ahead.

He said: "The agreement of the grant requires the school to come up with a four-year development plan in the first instance with the local family of schools, as the Government calls them, such as local primary schools. What we could do is support some community arts performance and the model for that is Energize (the arts performance in High Wycombe).

"I have had a meeting with the heads of primary schools in the town and they are very excited about the prospect.

"We are consulting with people to see what they want and I have been having some preliminary discussions with amateur dramatics groups in the town to see what way we could support them. We would like to be the place to provide the base for a local amateur dramatics group."

However, in addition to any Government grant the school would have to raise the rest of the estimated cost themselves.

The school is expecting a feasibility study from a group of architects in a few weeks time to advise on the exact costs of the scheme.

If the bid for performing arts status is successful the Department for Education and Skills is likely to contribute £120,000 towards the cost of the new theatre.

Under conditions of the grant the theatre could be opened up to amateur dramatics groups such as the Marlow Players and local primary schools.

As well as the centre for performing arts, the new building will also house an exciting new design and technology centre.

The school is looking for individual companies to sponsor individual technology rooms.

The new building will free up space in a crowded school allowing more space for the sixth form centre.

Any company interested in sponsoring the school or supporting the plans should contact Dr Holding on 01628 816500.