DOZENS of Ipswich primary schools are in the money today after taking part in an Evening Star campaign aimed at helping children get the best from their education.

DOZENS of Suffolk primary schools are in the money today after taking part in an Evening Star campaign aimed at helping children get the best from their education.

The eight-week Cash for School's scheme was launched in June and was sponsored by Barclay's Bank.

Sixty primary schools signed up for the programme, each receiving an initial £50, but with the opportunity to get their hands on more.

Today, seven schools have scooped a total of £500 pounds or more.

Heathside Primary School, in Heath Road, Ipswich, collected the most vouchers per pupil, winning themselves £2,000.

The school caters for children with severe learning difficulties and the money will go towards a new specially adapted minibus to enable the pupils to access different facilities within the community.

Headteacher, Odran Doran, said: “We had little old ladies who have sent us vouchers with best wishes cards.

“We would really like to extend our thanks to everyone who has supported us.

“We are looking to replace our school minibus so the money will be used as a launch pad for a fundraising drive to raise about £25,000.”

Ipswich's Sprites Primary School, in Stonechat Road, held a competition to see which pupils could collect the most vouchers, with the winning youngsters earning gifts such as board games and footballs.

Pupils, parents and staff managed to collect enough vouchers to bag £1,000.

Headteacher, Shaun Valentine, said: “We will be meeting with the school council to discuss where the money will go but we are looking at creating a nature area in the school grounds.

“Whatever we decide, the money will go directly to benefit the children and being that they put in so much of the work themselves anyway it's quite rightly so.”

Pupils at Morland Road Primary School in Ipswich received £500 from the programme, which has gone towards buying six electric guitars, a drum kit and two clarinets.

Headteacher, Ken Marrable, said: “We are very keen to develop music at the school because our pupils are very good at performing arts.

“We want to offer pupils music lessons that are a bit different, such as clarinets and flute clubs rather than just the recorder. The money is a godsend as it has allowed us to buy extra instruments.”

Sue Gipps, sales and marketing manager for the Star, said: “The campaign was a huge success and a big thank you must go to Barclay's who supported us.

“I'm delighted so many schools took part and benefited from the campaign.”

Has your school benefited from the cash for School's campaign? Write to Your Letters, Evening Star, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich IP4 1AN or e-mail eveningstarletters@eveningstar.co.uk.