THE town's first free school has been awarded a £15,000 cash boost after it was praised for arming its pupils with resilience and grit.

King's Leadership Academy was selected by judges as one of the regional winners for the north west in the Department for Education Character Awards.

The school on Seymour Drive was recognised for promoting certain traits in its pupils and for putting character education at the heart of its subjects.

The school was praised for its initiative to develop character by issuing pupils with a King's passport.

Sir Iain Hall, sponsor of King’s Leadership Academy said: “King’s was founded on the firm belief that character education enhances academic success.

“Our mission to develop the academic skills, intellectual habits, qualities of character and leadership traits necessary for every child to succeed at all levels and become successful citizens in tomorrow’s world is the DNA of the academy permeating everything we do.”

The academy is one of 27 schools to receive the funding with the winners chosen by a panel of experts - selecting schools that displayed evidence that their work has improved pupils’ future outcomes.

Education Secretary Nicky Morgan said teaching pupils about character will prepare them for life in 'modern Britain'.

She said: “Investing in the character of young people will not only help them succeed academically but also improve their job prospects and help them bounce back from setbacks.

“Teachers across the country are doing excellent work to promote character. Today’s award winners are leading the way, and I hope other schools can learn from their successful approaches."

One of the 27 winners will go on to win a further £20,000 at an awards ceremony later this month.

Principal Shane Ierston added: “Character education is delivered through our leadership specialism and provides a strong backbone from which our children learn to make the right choices in life.

"This success is the result of our staff going the extra mile to help every child succeed.”