SEVERAL Suffolk schools have been awarded a cash windfall worth thousands it has been announced. Hadleigh High School, Rose Hill primary, Whatfield primary, Nacton primary and Dale Hall primary school have been handed £2,000 each after winning the British Telecom (BT) Schools Award.

SEVERAL Suffolk schools have been awarded a cash windfall worth thousands it has been announced.

Hadleigh High School, Rose Hill primary, Whatfield primary, Nacton primary and Dale Hall primary school have been handed £2,000 each after winning the British Telecom (BT) Schools Award.

The schools are among 240 winners chosen from more than 940 entries.

The money will be used to fund community-based projects aimed at helping pupils develop their speaking and listening skills as well as taking part in the community.

Ian Carrington, headteacher at Hadleigh High said he was delighted at the award.

He said: "We are going to run a programme which gets our students talking to elderly people. They will talk about how life was in the Second World War as we approach the 60th anniversary of the end of the war in Europe."

Mr Carrington said plans also include a joint trip to the Normandy beaches with elderly Hadleigh residents and students.

He said: "It is a great chance to break down some of the barriers between the young and the elderly that they feel exist."

Joan Wardell, headteacher at Whatfield primary school, said she was delighted to be among the winners.

She said: "Our project is centred around Buckles Farm. The purpose is to work collaboratively with the farm to create an area where schools and families can enjoy the excitement of learning more about the conservation of the countryside. I am very pleased with the award."

Dave Hancock, BT education programme manager, said: "I would like to congratulate all the schools taking part.

"Hopefully both teachers and pupils will become more actively involved in their communities and really make a difference."

The winning schools have until July to complete their projects. Three national winners will be awarded £10,000 for the best projects.