Worksop: Outwood Academy Portland and Norbridge Academy scoop £100k and £50k awards for helping disadvantaged pupils

Students and pupils at Outwood Academy Portland with the Pupils Premier Award 2015. Pictured are pupils Tia Lewis, 11, and Oliver Oakes, Associate Executive Principal Dr Philip Smith, and Tracey Allport.

The schools landed the highest regional prizes at The National Pupil Premium Awards in London on Wednesday 25th March, with Portland taking home £100,000 and Norbridge Academy winning £50,000.

Both schools were recognised at the glittering ceremony for being able to provide evidence of effective strategies to improve the achievement of disadvantaged students within their schools.

Dr Phillip Smith, principal of Outwood Academy Portland, accepted the award from deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg and TV presenter Hossain.

Dr Smith told the Guardian: “We are thrilled that the performance and hard work of our students has been recognised at a national level and are delighted to be regional winners.”

“The prize money will be used to further support the outstanding achievements of students in Worksop. All our staff continue to be very proud of their success.”

George Huthart, head teacher at Norbridge Academy, also attended the ceremony and said he was ‘proud anddelighted’ that the school was named as a regional winner out of 30 finalists.

He added: “This is a prestigious award and we are pleased that the success disadvantaged children have at Norbridge Academy has been recognised.”

“All of the children and staff are committed to our belief system to be the best you can be. It is shared by everyone involved in school and evident in everything that we do.”

Norbridge Academy currently uses the government’s Pupil Premium funding to support pupils by giving them the opportunity to take part in Wado Ryu Karate lessons, breakfast and after school clubs, and educational visits including residential trips to Kingswood, Hathersage and France.

The school also uses the funding to provide free school uniform to disadvantaged children, as well as individualised support for their hobbies and interests such as through guitar and piano tuition.

Over £4million was given out in prizes to winning schools at the event.