Plans to support literacy among young pupils in four primary schools have been backed by a £200,000 grant from the Department for Education.

The Suffolk Borders Teaching Alliance (SBTA), run by the Samuel Ward Academy Trust, has been successful in bidding for the money from the Strategic School Improvement Fund – one of only 11 successful bids in the Eastern Region.

The SBTA, in partnership with charity Success for All, will use the money to further develop the curriculum and associated staff development in Woodhall Primary School in Sudbury, Houldsworth Valley Primary Academy in Newmarket, Clements Primary Academy in Haverhill and Bures Primary School.

Andy Samways, Director of Research School and Teaching School, said: “We are excited to have been awarded this grant which targets an evidence-based approach to the teaching and learning of essential literacy and communication skills.

“Such a significant investment will enable us to really enhance the development of the curriculum and professional development opportunities for teachers and teaching assistants in the schools partnering on this project.

“There is no doubt that the children of these schools will benefit from the programme offered by Success for All. This really is great news for each schools, their staff, children and wider communities.”

Spending of the grant will be tailored to meet the needs of each school and contribute towards resourcing and training related to the Success for All programme.

Tim Coulson, Chief Executive of Samuel Ward Academy Trust, said: “We have seen that Success for All makes a massive difference to children’s progress in literacy.

“We are delighted to be involved in this project and are very optimistic that pupils in our schools will benefit hugely.”

Matt Ditchfield, Chief Executive at Success for All, added: “We are thrilled to collaborate with Samuel Ward Academy Trust to embed sustainable impact for every child within schools and communities connected to the programme and ensure that there is a consistent approach in every school enabling the highest levels of attainment and progress.

“This is a project of national significance in the application of evidence-based practice in education. We look forward to building on the already strong relationships with the Trust. “

Three of the schools are part of the Samuel Ward Academy Trust and Bures Primary School is a member of the Suffolk Borders Teaching Alliance, which supports schools in and out of the Trust.

The Alliance plays a key role in leading the training and professional development of teachers, support staff, deputy heads, headteachers and governors.