CHURCHFIELDS School is receiving £42,000 from the Government to raise standards.

Two weeks ago the Government announced that Swindon’s two National Challenge Schools – Nova Hreod and Churchfields – would receive a £139,000 cash injection.

But Churchfields, in Old Walcot, is only getting £42,000 of the money.

“We are getting less because Churchfields is in a low risk category,” said headteacher Steve Flavin.

“The first amount will come into the school’s budget from the local authority in September.”

Normally schools are classed as National Challenge when more than 70 per cent of children fail to get five good GCSEs. Churchfields is clear of the mark as 30 per cent got five or more good GCSEs.

South Swindon MP Anne Snelgrove said: “I am delighted that Churchfields School has received extra funding. Steve Flavin made a case to Minister Ed Balls when he visited the school. He takes these comments seriously and acts on them.”