The awards, part of a scheme supported by the Government's Dept for Children, Schools and Families (DCSF), recognises 'good practice' in developing extra-curricular activity programmes for pupils.

Eight other schools also received the QiSS and were presented with the awards at a special ceremony at Parkland Infant School in Eastbourne, organised by East Sussex County Council.

Councillor David Elkin, lead member for learning and school effectiveness, joined members of the county council's Study Support Team in congratulating the schools on their achievement.

Cllr Elkin said: "While schools have always provided programmes of extra-curricular activities, there is now increasing recognition that these activities can profoundly influence every child's learning when they are planned and delivered in a meaningful way."

The Quality in Study Support scheme recognises and rewards schools, youth clubs, libraries and other educational organisations that develop effective and dynamic out-of-hours school learning programmes.

The scheme is based on the DCSF's Study Support Code of Practice, where the overall aim is to raise students' achievement, motivation and self esteem.

Typical activities in a programme can include breakfast clubs, homework clubs, and clubs where pupils can pursue particular interests, such as languages, sports and PE, music, drama, chess or science.

To achieve the award, schools must use the Study Support Code of Practice to plan, develop and self-evaluate its study support provision.

It must also produce a portfolio of evidence to show that it has met the standards set by the Code of Practice.

The evidence is then scrutinised by peers before being submitted for recognition by the QiSS.