Schools in Harwich and Clacton are through to the next round of a Government initiative to improve standards in Education.
The schools bidding to become Education Action Zones will now receive up to £20,000 to continue developing their plans which must be submitted by July 23.
Education Action Zones are partnerships between schools, parents, local education authorities and other groups which aim to boost standards in areas facing challenging circumstances.
If successful, the schools will get full EAZ status and will receive a total of £1million a year in grants and match funding.
Nick Pavitt, headteacher at Colbayns High School said on Friday he was "delighted" to hear the application was at the next stage.
He said: "Education Action Zones are a wonderful opportunity for a group of schools to seize extra resources to benefit children and to drive up achievement.
"Schools in Clacton and Harwich are fiercely proud of all they have done to drive up standards and in the commitment of staff and governors to young people."
The towns will find out if they have been designated an Education Action Zone later this year.
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