Local schools shortlisted for the Pupil Premium Awards

Heap Bridge Village Primary School shortlisted for the Pupil Premium Awards

Heap Bridge Village Primary School in Heywood and Alkrington Primary School in Middleton have been shortlisted for the Pupil Premium Awards.

The schools will have a shot at winning prizes at the national awards in May. Prizes include the chance to see Shakespeare productions and visit museums such as London’s world-renowned Science Museum to take part in exclusive activities and learning programmes.

The awards will be presented by one of Britain’s foremost contemporary artists, Tracey Emin, at a ceremony in May, while internationally-respected education expert Andreas Schleicher, who is Director for Education and Skills at the OECD, will chair the high-profile panel of judges.

Education and Childcare Minister Sam Gyimah has written to primary and secondary schools nationally to congratulate them for the effective use of their Pupil Premium funding to combat disadvantage and raise aspirations for their pupils.

The Pupil Premium – worth £2.5 billion this year – has enabled schools across the country to provide vital support to some of the most vulnerable children in their care.

All the schools have consistently shown high levels of attainment or significant rates of improvement among their disadvantaged pupils over time, particularly in English and maths. Study groups and one-to-one tuition are just some of the ways the Pupil Premium has been used by schools to meet this aim.

Mr Gyimah said: “I am determined to ensure all pupils can achieve their potential. Education is our biggest tool for extending opportunity, and we know many schools are doing an excellent job of boosting aspiration and tackling disadvantage. I want to thank them for all their efforts.

“I am delighted that figures show the attainment gap between disadvantaged pupils and their classmates has fallen at both primary and secondary level – but there is still more to do. That is why I am calling on schools to ensure all their pupils can access and benefit from wider cultural activities and experiences that will help raise aspirations and build character.”

Natalie Ireland, Head of Learning and Public Programmes, at the Museum of Science and Industry in Manchester, said: “We are very excited to be able to offer this year's winners a wonderful day out and a chance to experience one of best stories that Manchester has to tell.”

Among 20 organisations offering prizes this year are the Royal Shakespeare Company, the Science Museum and the Royal Academy of Arts.