COUNTY schools are celebrating after making or continuing to make impressive improvements in the attainment of their disadvantaged pupils.

The pupil premium is additional central government funding given to publicly funded schools in England to raise the attainment of disadvantaged pupils and close the gap between them and their peers.

The funding is available to both mainstream and non-mainstream schools, like special schools and pupil referral units.

The government presents ‘pupil premium awards’ to primary, secondary and special schools in England whose use of the pupil premium has significantly improved the attainment of their disadvantaged pupils.

This month seven key stage two schools in Gloucestershire have received a letter from central government awarding each of them with £1000.

The seven schools are Castle Hill Primary School in Brockworth, Harewood Junior School in Tuffley, St Mark’s CofE Junior School in Benhall, Cheltenham, Rodborough Community Primary School in Stroud, Cashes Green Primary School in Stroud, Foxmoor Primary School, Cashes Green, Stroud and Bourton-on-the-Water Primary School.

Cllr Paul McLain, Cabinet member for children and young people and commissioning said, “These schools have made a fantastic contribution in transforming the way we educate children from low-income families.

"I’d like to offer everyone at the schools my congratulations on winning these awards.”

For more information visit: www.pupilpremiumawards.co.uk