STAFF at several schools in Basingstoke have been given a Government cash bonus for high or improved test results.

The school achievement awards were introduced to reward staff whose schools had either significantly improved their key stage test or GCSE/GNVQ results between 1999 and 2002, had left special measures or has achieved high performance in their 2002 key stage tests or GCSE/GNVQ.

The awards are worth around £5,700 for a typical primary school and £25,700 for a typical secondary school.

Nine-hundred schools in the South East region received awards, with successful north Hampshire schools including Burghclere Primary, Cliddesden Primary, Merton Infant, Bishopwood Infant, Kempshott Infant, Castle Hill Infant, Hook Junior, Beech Down Primary, Long Sutton Church of England Primary, Preston Candover Primary, Sherborne St John Primary, Silchester Church of England Primary, The Hurst Community, and Testbourne Community.

Announcing the awards, education minister David Miliband said: "There is much to celebrate about our schools - improved results, good teaching and committed staff.

"Success depends on every member of staff working together to raise standards. It is right to reward the staff whose work helps pupils to learn. These awards celebrate this."

The cash is due to be distributed to schools this month via local education authorities, through the standards fund.