Two Brighton schools win awards for work supporting disadvantaged children

Two primary schools in Brighton have won awards from the government for their work supporting children from disadvantaged backgrounds.

Balfour Primary School and St Bernadette’s Catholic Primary School have won £1,000 “pupil premium” awards.

Schools Minister David Laws has written to both schools in recognition of their achievements.

He said that they were among the most improved in the country in terms of the attainment and progress of their disadvantaged children since 2011.

Balfour head teacher Marcelo Staricoff said: “We’re absolutely delighted to be recognised in this way.

“It indicates that we are succeeding in our main aim, which is to provide the very best educational experiences for all our children so that they can all reach their full potential, develop a love of learning and maximise their life chances.”

St Bernadette’s head Jacqueline Lance said: “We were pleased to be recognised for our work with our disadvantaged children.

“At St Bernadette’s we work to develop all our children to help them achieve the best that they can.”

Councillor Sue Shanks, who chairs the Brighton and Hove City Council Children and Young People Committee, said: “Our top education priority is closing the gap in academic achievement between those families on low incomes who are entitled to receive free school meals and those who are not.

“I’m delighted Balfour and St Bernadette’s have been highlighted for doing a fantastic job in this key area.”