STAFF at 26 schools in Bury will get a bonus in their pay packet for helping pupils achieve high or improved test results.

A total of 23 primary schools will each receive an award of about £5,500 and three secondary schools will each get an amount in the region of £25,000.

Everyone from caretakers and dinner ladies to the teaching staff will be financially rewarded. Governing bodies will decide how the cash will be shared out.

The windfall was awarded to schools where pupils had performed substantially better in 2001 than 1998; where pupil performance in 2001 was better than most schools in similar circumstances; and schools which had come out of special measures, designed to improve on negative Ofsted reports, in the 2000/01 school year.

Schools standards minister Stephen Timms said: "Success in schools is achieved through a combination of good leadership, good teaching and teamwork by all staff.

"The school achievement awards celebrate the achievements of the entire school community including teachers, teaching assistants, administrative staff and catering teams."

Coun Steve Perkins, Bury's executive member for lifelong learning, said: "It is very nice to be recognised in this way but it would be even nicer if Bury received better funding for education.

"Our schools perform very well despite poor funding so it is obviously down to the quality of teaching, school staff and the work of our officers."

The successful schools are:

Bury:

Christ Church CE (Aided) Primary School, Fairfield Community Primary School, Greenhill Primary School, St Chad's CE Junior School, Chesham Primary School, St Joseph and St Bede RC Primary School, St Paul's CE Primary School, Lowercroft Primary School.

Radcliffe:

Christ Church Ainsworth CE Primary School, Cams Lane Primary School, St Andrew's CE Primary School, St Mary's RC Primary School.

Whitefield and Prestwich:

Bury and Whitefield Jewish Primary School, Butterstile Primary School, Ribble Drive Community Primary School, Whitefield Community Primary School, Higher Lane Infant School, Sedgley Park Community Primary School, St Mary's CE Aided Primary School, Heaton Park Primary School, Elms Bank Community High Special School, Parrenthorn High School.

Ramsbottom and Tottington:

Greenmount Primary School, Hazlehurst Primary School, Summerseat Methodist Primary School, Tottington High School.