A HIGH School and eight primary schools in the Darwen area are celebrating after being granted government cash to improve children's achievements.

The new Excellence In Cities (EIC) Education Action Zone is part of the Blackburn with Darwen's EIC Initiative which is committed to raising standards and giving children access to quality learning opportunities.

The new 'Venture Zone' bid has been praised from the DfES as having qualities that should have a "significant impact on raising standards of achievement across the zone".

Nearly £1 million is to be given to the schools in the next three years. Some of the cash will be used to appoint advisory teachers in literacy and numeracy who will work alongside existing teachers to help with pupils motivation.

Family support workers will also be recruited to support pupils and families who face challenging home lives.

EAZs were introduced by the government in 1997 to raise educational standards in both rural and urban areas. Blackburn with Darwen's existing EAZ is made up of three nurseries, 15 primary schools, one special school and three secondary schools.

But the new EIC version will tackle particular problems facing children urban areas. It aims to raise aspirations and achievements of pupils and to tackle truancy and indiscipline.

Corporate Development Manager at Blackburn with Darwen council Mary Carley said that it was the only Venture Zone in the borough and was very difficult to get the award. She said it would mainly target literacy and numeracy problems .

Primary schools which have also been awarded the status are Meadowhead Community Infant and Junior School, Avondale, Lower Darwen Community, St Andrew's CE, St Bartholomew's, St Cuthbert's and St Aidan's CE, which are all feeder schools for Darwen Vale.

Levels of achievement in English and Maths are said to be generally high in the primary schools within the zone but in line with national trends some pupils at Darwen Vale suffered a dip in performance during Key Stage 3. Head of Darwen Vale Lynn Dunning said: "Darwen Vale High School has made significant progress recently and we welcome the opportunity to work with other schools to raise standards and develop further good practice."

Project Director to the new Venture Zone Lisa Bibby said: "Our vision for the Venture Zone is to create educational excellence for all, making a real difference for our young people. I am really impressed by the willingness of all of the schools to work together targeting resources at those schools and pupils that are most in need."