TWO PRIMARY schools are in the running for up to £100,000 from the Government after being named among the most improved in the country.

Balfour Primary, in Balfour Road, and St Bernadette’s Primary, in London Road, both Brighton, have won £1,000 each in Pupil Premium awards for their work supporting children from disadvantaged backgrounds.

The two primaries could now be in the running for an even bigger financial boost of up to £100,000.

The two are joined by fellow Sussex schools Polegate Primary School, Langley Green Primary and Rustington Community Primary School, in being named among the top 430 achieving in the country.

Schools minister David Laws wrote to the successful schools telling them they were among the most improved in terms of the attainment and progress of their disadvantaged children since 2011.

The Pupil Premium winners have now been invited to apply before Monday for a larger prize of up to £100,000.

Final prizes will be awarded at a ceremony hosted by Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg in March.

Marcelo Staricoff, headteacher at Balfour Primary, 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.”

Jacqueline Lance, headteacher at St Bernadette’s, added: “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, the chairwoman of Brighton and Hove City Council’s 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.”