More support to raise standards in schools

LONDON – Schools secretary Ed Balls has announced £45 million (NZ$120 million) funding for National Challenge Schools from September to continue the support schools are getting to continue raising standards in the next academic year.

He also said he expected local authorities to continue to work in partnership and look at all the options available.

Mr Balls also announced his approval of a further five National Challenge Trust Schools, in addition to the 16 already approved.

The number of National Challenge schools – where fewer than 30 per cent of pupils get five good GCSEs including English and Maths – has come down to 440 compared to more than 630 last year, 783 two years ago and 1,600 in 1997. This means that we are on track to have no school below the 30 per cent by 2011.

National Challenge schools – those at the forefront of breaking the link between deprivation and attainment – have been benefitting from tailored support such as 1-2-1 tuition for pupils, learning mentors, extra revision support and plans to address pupil disengagement.

Mr Balls said: “This funding will allow schools to plan for the next academic year and build on predicted improvements in this year’s GCSE results.”