TEACHERS at Devizes School are to receive a cash bonus for their efforts in improving GCSE results.

The school has received a school achievement award from the Department for Education and Skills in recognition of the improvement in its GCSE results from 1999 to 2002.

In 1999 the average points score per pupil was 3.8, which increased to eight in 2002.

The school will receive £26,740 from the Government to be paid to teachers involved in the success.

The school governors will now have to decide how the money will be shared out.

Deputy headteacher Julie Reeves said: "We were surprised to get this award. The first we knew was when we were notified in the post.

"There was a real sense of achievement and jubilation among the staff when they were told about it by the headteacher Malcolm Irons.

"We didn't bid for the award. It came from the Department.

"It has inspired and motivated the staff.

"The points score for our students has doubled in three years."