A Coventry school will be able to develop a new photography department after it snapped up a donation to turn a kitchen into a darkroom.

Staff at Finham Park school had been negative about the prospects of being able to offer photography qualifications to their pupils, but kept their focus on the scheme.

And the idea proved more than a flash in the pan when an offer £10,000 from Siemens Business Services, which runs the city council’s computer systems, came along.

Before a camera shutter could close 20 students started a GCSE in the subject and another 20 are expected to be processed on to the course next year.

The school has used the money to buy photographic equipment and refurbish their kitchen area to allow them to build a darkroom.

Headteacher Chris Hunt said:

“I am delighted by the generosity of Siemens Business Services Coventry. This donation will enable us to build on our existing excellence and skills within the art department, and provide our students with further artistic opportunities.”

Stuart Davie, account director of Siemens Business Services Coventry said:

“As one of Coventry City Council’s key partners we are keen to support local community projects.

“Our office is decorated with paintings created by the pupils of Finham Park art school and we are therefore naturally delighted to be supporting their initiative to introduce a photography unit to complement the already diverse offering of courses the school can make to its pupils.”