HUNDREDS of staff in schools across Hampshire and Southampton are to receive a share of a £1.3m cash bonus from the government.

Teachers, caretakers and school secretaries are among workers in line for the payout to reward them for boosting pupils' test results.

Staff at 119 schools in Hampshire will share in £1,039,320 to reward them for high or improved test results last year. In Southampton, a further 24 schools will share in £190,000 to reward hundreds of staff.

The awards were welcomed by winning schools across Hampshire.

But David Hart, general secretary of the National Association of Head Teachers, said the bonuses could have been put to a better use.

He said: "Nobody denies that high achieving schools should receive due recognition.

"But it is quite extraordinary that, at a time when virtually every school in England is strapped for cash, the government should be dishing out millions of pounds to 30 per cent of schools.

"This announcement, alongside today's news that the Department for education and Skills' budget was underspent by £1 billion last year, demonstrated the government's ability to shoot itself in the foot over the funding crisis."

Among the schools in Hampshire to receive high bonuses are The Henry Beaufort School in Winchester, where staff will share in £31,860, and King's School, also in Winchester, where more than 150 staff will share in £41,000.

In Southampton, Regent's Park Girls' School will get to distribute £29,840 among its staff.

Ray Bradbury, head teacher of King's School, Winchester, welcomed the cash, saying: "This is a wonderful achievement for the staff to gain this award for excellence for the third year running and it is a recognition of all the hard work over the past 12 months."

Regent Park Girls' School head teacher Sarah Hill was also celebrating. She said: "I am very proud for the staff and pupils whose achievements have been accomplished through the whole school community's commitment to striving for excellence for each pupil within a framework where supportive relationships are at the heart."

Hampshire County Council's executive member for education Councillor Don Allen said: "This is a welcome recognition for the schools which have been rewarded for their efforts and a testament to the hard work and commitment of the staff, teachers, governors and pupils.

"There are many other excellent schools in the county which have not been awarded bonuses and I would like to take this opportunity to extend my thanks and praise to all staff, teachers and governors in Hampshire for their continuous support and commitment to raising standards."

Schools standards minister David Milliband said: "The school achievement awards celebrate the work of the entire school community in helping pupils to achieve high or improved test results and rewards them for their efforts with a cash boost to their pay packets."