A SCHEME which helps pupils perform better at nine Glasgow schools is to be scrapped because other city kids are missing out, it was revealed today.

Education Secretary Fiona Hyslop is to stop the Schools of Ambition project which was backed by millionaire tycoon Sir Tom Hunter.

The £15million project was launched only a year ago by First Minister Jack McConnell when 52 schools across the country were singled out for cash aid to boost performances among pupils.

Castlemilk High and St.Margaret Mary's Secondary were among the scheme's first 20 schools to be announced in June, 2005, along with St. Paul's High in Pollok.

Drumchapel High, Eastbank Academy, Govan High, Hillhead High, Rosshall Academy and St Andrew's Secondary were also among those guaranteed at least £100,000 a year in extra government funding and with the possibility of more cash from entrepreneurs.

Other schools included are Barrhead High School in East Renfrewshire; Cardinal Newman High School, North Lanarkshire; Doon Academy Learning Partnership, East Ayrshire; Our Lady's and St Patrick's High School, West Dunbartonshire, and St Ninian's High School, East Dunbartonshire.

But Ms Hyslop has ruled the project will end in 2010.

Labour education spokeswoman Rhona Brankin said the scheme had been one of the most successful educational initiatives in Scotland and said: "This is deeply disappointing."