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NATIONAL CHALLENGE - MORE SUPPORT TO RAISE STANDARDS IN SCHOOLS
13 May 2009Schools Secretary Ed Balls today announced £45 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.Ed Balls also announced his approval of a further five National Challenge Trust Schools, in addition to the 16 already approved. These are: Sinfin School in Derby, George Mitchell School in Waltham Forest, Chase School in Southend on Sea, Bexleyheath School in Bexley, and Parklands High School in Liverpool.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.Ed Balls said:“The evidence we are getting is that schools are now seeing real benefits from the additional support they are receiving through the National Challenge programme. This is enabling headteachers to continue their drive to raise standards, often in the most challenging schools. Today’s funding will allow schools to plan for the next academic year and build on predicted improvements in this year’s GCSE results.“There has been much progress with the National Challenge, with most schools embracing a blend of support to help accelerate improvements. In the very few schools where we still don’t see enough progress to meet our minimum standard of 30 per cent of pupils gaining five good GCSEs, including maths and English by 2011, we will we continue to work closely with them to ensure the right solutions are brokered to ensure every child gets a good education. “In these cases I fully expect local authorities to continue to work in partnership with us and objectively consider the full menu of options for accelerating improvements, including the development of Academy or National Challenge Trust plans. It is not acceptable for local authorities to rule out any options in the search to deliver better outcomes for all of their pupils. Many of the schools in the most challenging circumstances are already embracing partnerships with stronger institutions through Academies, National Challenge Trusts and Federations, providing the basis for transforming learning opportunities for pupils in some of our most deprived communities.”The funding each school will receive to provide a bespoke package of support is allocated following careful consideration of each schools’ needs, increasing for those requiring most support. He added:“Becoming a National Challenge Trust School will bring about changes in the governance of these schools. They will strengthen both leadership and governance to create more confident institutions able to drive and sustain their own improvement over the long-term. Each will benefit from up to £750,000 of funding support.”Editor's Notes
This press notice relates to 'England'
1. The National Challenge Programme was launched in June 2008. Over 700 schools – including some of those who have recently risen above 30 per cent – are being supported through National Challenge. This includes 159 City Challenge schools and 38 academies. 2. Attached is a list of the funding for each LA in the National Programme for 2009/10. The £45m announced today includes £34.3m of funding we have agreed for maintained schools in each local authority. In addition, we will be providing £6.3m to support Academies. There are some maintained schools where we have not yet agreed funding packages, as we are still in discussion with local authorities to identify what additional support is needed to meet their needs. We have set aside £4.5m with these schools in mind.
[CLICK HERE FOR TABLE]3. Schools facing some of the most significant challenges in the Black Country, Greater Manchester and London are being supported by funding from the City Challenge programmes. These schools will also benefit from support packages tailored to meet their needs. 4. 16 National Challenge Trusts have already been approved, 13 of which will open in September 2009
Contact Details
Public Enquiries 0870 000 2288, info@dcsf.gsi.gov.uk
Press Notice 2009/0099
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