A PRIMARY school in Chinnor has been awarded £25,000 for improving theresults for underprivileged children.

St Andrew’s Primary School became the Thames Valley’s regional finalist in ensuring that children from low-income families met and exceeded national standards at SATs exams.

As a result, St Andrew's was shortlisted by the Department of Education for a Pupil Premium Award and the school was declared the regional finalist for the region and awarded £50,000 to spend on further improving results for all pupils.

Headteacher Wendy Heritage attended a ceremony in London and was presented with the award by newsreader Nina Hossain, Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg and Minister of State for Schools David Laws.

Mr Laws said: “It is clear that staff and governors are equipping disadvantaged pupils [at St Andrews] with skills for future success.”

Mrs Heritage said: “It’s a huge amount of money because you know how schools are strapped for cash.

“When you have got £25,000 there’s so much more you can do and it has a knock-on effect for our pupils.”

The school plans to spend the money on buying tablet computers to be used by both the 30 pupils classified as disadvantaged and other children.