A government scheme has rewarded 6,800 schools around the country with the bonuses. School Achievement awards are in two categories and are worth around 5,00 for a primary school, and 25,000 for secondary schools. The Improvement Awards reward staff in schools where pupil performance in 2000 was substantially better than in 1997 and in schools that have come out of special measures. Excellence Awards are for schools where pupil performance in 2000 was better than most schools in similar circumstances. The purpose of these awards is to reward staff teams and to encourage schools to strive for further improvement.
Schools succeed through a combination of good leadership, good teaching and teamwork by all staff.
Schools should be proud of winning a School Achievement Award. It celebrates success and gives governing bodies the opportunity to give the whole staff team a tangible reward.