UPPER Wharfedale School, at Threshfield, has won a £5,000 Pupil Premium Award - and it can apply for further prize money.

The cash has been allocated by the Government in recognition of its work to improve the attainment of disadvantaged pupils.

Associate headteacher Sally Sumner said: "We are delighted to receive the award as it recognises, at a national level, the hard work of our staff and students.

" At Upper Wharfedale our motto is ‘Excellence for all’ and this award recognises the fact that students from all backgrounds achieve well and make outstanding progress.

"We are one of the highest achieving schools in the country in terms of the attainment and progress of disadvantaged students since 2011. Additionally we are one of the top 100 non-selective state funded schools in England based on progress from key stage two to key stage four."

One of the school's most successful initiatives is its Accelerated Reader programme, which encourages a love of reading, while improving and enhancing comprehension skills.

Miss Sumner added: "A number of students are now word 'millionaires' and the impact has been seen across the school in all subject areas."

Upper Wharfedale - which will spend its money on further developing its work with disadvantaged students - was one of 11 schools in Yorkshire and the Humber to win a Pupil Premium Award following the recent publication of the key stage four results.

Each has now been invited to apply for a further slice of prize money worth up to £250,000 and the final awards will be announced at a ceremony hosted by Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg in March.

Schools Minister David Laws said: “The pupil premium is building a fairer society with opportunity for everyone.

“I would encourage all of the secondary schools in Yorkshire and the Humber which have received a prize to share their successful approach with other schools so they can learn from their experience.

“I hope all schools will continue to learn from this excellent practice and ensure they are using their pupil premium effectively, so that they too may be in the running for a prize in 2016."