FOR the second year in a row, the John Masefield High School is to receive a large Government award to help disadvantaged students make strong progress and benefit from the advice of leading business people.

Last year, the £123,000 "Pupil Premium Funding" award helped 130 students at the Ledbury school, who were supported by not only staff but mentors from local and national business.

A similar programme can now be followed this year.

Head teacher, Andy Evans said: "I am pleased to announce that for the second consecutive year JMHS has received a Pupil Premium Award for helping our disadvantaged students make strong progress.

"I would like to congratulate and thank all colleagues for their tremendous hard work in supporting all of our students, including those who are disadvantaged, to thrive and succeed."

Mr Evans added: "I strongly believe that a measure of success in any community is how well those who are disadvantaged are supported to achieve their personal best. Through helping our Pupil Premium students succeed and become citizens who make positive contributions to their community, we are playing a small but significant part in making Britain a fairer and better society for all."

Peter Hammond, assistant headteacher and overall progress leader for the programme at the school welcomed the links between the John Masefield and business.

He said: "Schools receive the Pupil Premium grant from central government in order to help students, including those from disadvantaged backgrounds, to achieve academic success.

"There are six members of teaching staff who have direct leadership responsibility for supporting students for whom we receive Pupil Premium funding."

He added: "Some of our students are supported by mentors from an organisation called Bridge Builders which draws its mentoring team from local and national businesses. We have the support of three mentors who are managers at regional branches of Enterprise Car Hire. I think that this demonstrates one very positive aspect of the partnership between the school and local business."