Six Sussex schools have scooped an extra £36,000 each after being named beacon schools.

The schools were picked out by the Department for Education because of good exam results, excellent discipline or first-class management skills.

They will be expected to share their good practice with neighbouring schools in a bid to raise performance levels.

Two of the schools are in Brighton and Hove: Middle Street Primary and St Andrews Church of England Primary. The other four are: Rose Green Infant, Bognor; Palatine Special School, Worthing; Stone Cross Primary, near Hailsham; and Glyne Gap Special School, Bexhill.

Beacon schools receive an average of £36,000 from the Government to pay for their work in sharing best practice with other headteachers.

They will also be involved in teacher training to ensure successful habits in the classroom are passed on.

The six Sussex schools are among 166 new beacon schools to be announced, taking the total number across England to 1,150.

Minister for young people Ivan Lewis said: "These schools help raise standards elsewhere by sharing knowledge and talent.

"The programme has already helped many schools to benefit from advice and experience."

Research carried out by Ofsted found beacon schools had a real impact on standards.