FIVE schools across Bolton are to share almost £2 million of extra funding under a new Government grant to improve leadership in secondary schools.

The Withins School, Deane School, George Tomlinson School, Hayward School and Thornleigh Salesian College are set to receive the leadership incentive grant which is worth at least £375,000 a school over three years.

Bolton's Deputy Director of Education Brian Shaw said: "The money has to be spent on leadership and it will go towards supporting staff. They will not be able to appoint full time staff, but they can get staff on short term contracts. There is a whole range of options."

The fund has been set up by Government ministers to help schools facing challenging circumstances.

Withins, Deane, George Tomlinson and Hayward Schools have qualified for the grant as more than 35 per cent of their pupils are entitled to free meals, and less than 30 per cent of their pupils achieve five A* to C GCSEs.

Thornleigh has qualified because it is in an education action zone.

Primary schools are not eligible for the grant.

Mr Shaw said the schools will now have to produce a four page action plan by the end of March on how they will use the cash, which will have to be approved by education bosses. The local education authority does have the power not to sanction the plan -- which would in effect block the money going to the school, but Mr Shaw is confident that that will not happen.

Tim Oakes, Headteacher at Hayward School said: "We are in a very privileged position to be able to access the funding. "

He added that it is too early yet to know the exact details about the grant but he said the funds will go towards raising standards and achievement.

In the past 18 months Mr Oakes said there had already been significant improvements at the school, as seen in the school's good performance in the "value added" section of the school league tables.