Teachers offered golden ticket

Bonuses will be paid out to teachers who join disadvantaged schools and stay for at least three years.

The package becomes available next term in secondaries, where less than 30 per cent of pupils get five good GCSEs and where 30 per cent or more qualify for free school meals.

In Wolverhampton, the eligible schools are Colton Hills Community, Moseley Park Technology College, Parkfield High and Pendeford Business & Enterprise College.

Brownhills Community College, Darlaston Community College, Frank F Harrison, Pool Hayes Community, Sneyd Community and Willenhall School Sports College qualify in Walsall.

In Sandwell, the schools are Alexandra High, Bristnall Hall Technology College, Holly Lodge High, Manor Foundation High, Menzies High and St Michael's CofE High.

Pensnett School of Technology and The Wordlsey School qualify in Dudley and Blake Valley Technology College in Cannock.

It is hoped the move will entice inspiring and talented teachers into working in challenging schools.

Wolverhampton education boss Councillor Gillian Fellows agrees with the idea in principal but did not want to see other schools suffer as a result.

He said: "I want good teachers in all schools across the board. But I don't necessarily think teachers will be lured by the bonuses as they are not in it for the money."

The Government is offering the bonuses to up to 6,000 teachers in more than 500 schools nationwide as part of its National Challenge scheme.

The programme was launched last June and has the ultimate aim of getting at least 30 per cent of pupils in every secondary school in the country achieving five top GCSEs by 2011.

Teachers who join or transfer to challenging schools will also be eligible for extra training and career support, to help them cope with unruly pupils or difficult conditions.

Graham Holley, chief executive for the Training and Development Agency for Schools (TDA), said: "We need more of the very best teachers in schools where they can do the most good.

"Our research shows that good teachers can have a profound effect on students in these schools, from getting pupils from poorer backgrounds into university to improving self-esteem."