The federal Education Minister, Julia Gillard, said more than 2000 NSW schools would receive grants totalling $277.5 million to be spent on "maintenance and minor building works".

But while most of the money will go to needy public schools, other recipients are among Sydney's best-endowed educational establishments.

The upper North Shore boys' school Knox Grammar, for instance, receives $200,000 to refurbish its junior sporting grounds, even though its website suggests the preparatory school has excellent sporting facilities.

These include two large ovals and four tennis/basketball courts, with cricket, football, rugby and track facilities a "five-minute stroll away".

"Five minutes further," the school adds, "and [junior] boys reach the Senior School campus, whose facilities including a 25-metre indoor heated swimming pool, diving pool with a 3-metre board, gymnasium with two basketball courts, two additional outdoor basketball courts, an extensively equipped weights room, four squash courts and tennis courts both at school and in close proximity. Four large ovals provide excellent cricket and rugby facilities."

The exclusive girls' school Frensham, near Mittagong, is another unlikely recipient. It receives $125,000 for its "Arts Centre and sporting facility", even though the school boasts "extensive playing fields, basketball and tennis courts, gymnasium with squash courts, aerobics facilities and an indoor court for tennis, basketball or netball and a worldclass (sic) synthetic hockey field".

Other top private schools receiving the cash boost include Pymble Ladies College ($200,000 for "secondary general learning areas"), Kambala ($200,000 for "sporting facilities and car park"), The King's School ($200,000 for "outdoor sporting facilities and pupil amenities"), Trinity Grammar ($200,000 for "shade structure"), The Scots College ($200,000 for "boarding facilities and music/drama rooms"), and Sydney Grammar ($200,000 for the library).

Many of these schools are already well supported, not just by fees that can top $20,000 a year, but by wealthy old boys' and old girls' networks.

Few details are available about NSW public school spending, because they have all listed "school refurbishment" as their project. A state education spokeswoman said i detailed project information "will be sent to the Commonwealth very soon".

Not all independent schools receiving the handout are wealthy. For instance, the Central Coast School for Children with Autism receives $75,000 for its playground.

But the inclusion of well-equipped private schools on the list will raise questions about equity in the Government's rush to stimulate the economy.

A spokeswoman for Ms Gillard said yesterday that "in the across the board sweep of the education revolution, we are not discriminating against school sectors. Our aim is to ensure that every school is a great school."