A PRIMARY school has been awarded a government grant of £1,000 after it was praised for its work with disadvantaged pupils.

Garswood Primary School is one of 430 nationally which qualified for the Pupil Premium Award for 2015 from the Department of Education.

It follows Key Stage 2 results which showed continued improvements in the teaching of their students.

Each school was given £1,000 and will now be invited to apply for the prizes worth up to £100,000. These will be awarded at a ceremony hosted by Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg in March.

Head teacher Pamela Potter said: “All children at Garswood Primary are given the best possible start to their education and we are so pleased with the excellent academic standards achieved.

“This award gives recognition for the hard work, passion and commitment of the staff, governors, pupils and families.”

Garswood intends to invest the cash directly into their educational facilities.

Sue Murphy, St Helens Council’s cabinet member for schools and lifelong learning, said: “This is fabulous news. All schools across St Helens are doing their very best to help disadvantaged pupils, but I hope this award will act as an inspiration to all to push on to ensure these needs are met, for the early learning stages of a child’s life is crucial to their development.”