A unique scheme which aims to raise pupils' achievements across York has received a huge cash boost to fund it for a further three years.

The Schools Learning Together charitable trust was set up three years ago to encourage schools to share expertise.

It has involved projects like setting up a website for all York schools, introducing new ways of teaching maths in primary schools, looking at different ways of teaching science and running master classes and summer schools.

It has now received £660,000 to cover another three years from the Gatsby Charitable Foundation, which brings the total backing from the charity to more than £1.3 million.

Chris Edwards, acting education director at City of York Council, said: "Our work with Gatsby has been at the heart of our school improvement agenda here in the city of York."

Mr Edwards said the new cash would help take the developments in science, technology and mathematics even further.

John Williams, from the Gatsby Technical Education Project (GTEP), said: "The Gatsby Charitable Foundation is delighted to be able to continue to work with the City of York.

"We are very keen to help Chris Edwards and his team build on their successes to ensure that every child is successful and high achieving."

Updated: 11:50 Tuesday, February 13, 2001