Three Islington schools have been awarded a cash prize for helping out disadvantaged students.

Central Foundation Boys School, in Cowper Street, Finsbury, City of London Academy, in Prebend Street and Elizabeth Garrett Anderson in Donegal Street, both Islington, were praised for the work they have done to boost the achievements of pupils from less privileged backgrounds.

Each school will now get £5,000 from the Government for having used the pupil premium, a fund to help disadvantaged students, effectively.

David Laws, Schools Minister for the Liberal Democrats, who implemented the premium, said: “ These Schools can rightly be proud of their work to improve the life chances of children in Islington and Finsbury.

“I would encourage all of the secondary schools which have received a prize to share their successful approach with other schools so they can learn from their experience.

“I hope all schools will continue to learn from this excellent practice and ensure they are using their pupil premium effectively, so that they too may be in the running for a prize in 2016.”

The schools are now able to apply for a prize of up to £250,000 - the winner of which will be announced by deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg in March.

Terry Stacy, Islington school governor and Liberal Democrat prospective parliamentary candidate for Islington South and Finsbury, said: “It is great to see that these schools putting the Pupil Premium to good use, and I am proud to see that this has been recognised by the government.

“Liberal Democrats are passionate about education, and making sure that everyone has the chance in life which is why we fought so hard to make sure that this money was made available.

“It is now clear the pupil premium is making a real difference in Islington and Finsbury.”