Two Brighton & Hove schools win national awards

Two primary schools in Brighton & Hove have won £1,000 government ‘Pupil Premium’ awards for their work supporting children from disadvantaged backgrounds.

Schools minister David Laws has written to both Balfour and St Bernadette’s RC primaries saying they are among the most improved in the country in terms of the attainment and progress of their disadvantaged children since 2011.

Balfour Primary headteacher 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 RC Primary headteacher 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."

The chair of Brighton & Hove City Council’s children and young people committee, Councillor Sue Shanks, 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.”