About the National Challenge
The National Challenge was launched by the Secretary of State on 10 June 2008. It is a programme of support to secure higher standards in all secondary schools so that, by 2011, at least 30 per cent of pupils in every school will gain five or more GCSEs at A* to C, including both English and mathematics.
The Rt Hon Ed Balls MP gave a press briefing on progress by National Challenge schools on 15 January 2009 which showed that the number of secondary schools in England below this floor target has fallen from 638 in 2007 to 440 in 2008.
We will provide universal support for schools below the 30 per cent threshold, including a National Challenge Adviser for each one.
When we established the National Challenge in June 2008, we asked each local authority not already involved in the City Challenge programme to develop plans to support schools where fewer than 30 per cent of pupils achieve five GCSE A* to C grades including English and mathematics, and those schools at risk of falling below this benchmark.
£400 million in total has been made available to support these schools. We asked local authorities to publish by 15 January a summary of their final plans to inform parents about what support will be available to support and strengthen schools in their area. In City Challenge areas, local authorities were asked to continue working with City Challenge advisers to develop school improvement programmes under existing arrangements.
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