Bid to improve 'coasting' schools (From The Northern Echo)

Bid to improve 'coasting' schools

4:33pm Friday 21st November 2008 in Search

LOCAL authorities in the region have been asked to identify their ‘coasting’ secondary schools.

The Government has revealed plans to target schools where pupils are not fulfiling their potential.

Schools Secretary Ed Balls said: “Coasting schools could and should be doing better.

“I want local authorities to identify the schools which they believe to be coasting and work with governing bodies, heads and school improvement partners to support them in making improvements.”

Local authorities will be asked to identify schools they think will most benefit from support by the end of January.

The schools could then qualify for a share of a 40m Government pot.

The strategy was welcomed by David Ford, head of achievement services at Durham County Council.

He said: “This strategy provides additional resource to support local authorities in their drive for school improvement.

“We welcome the fact that there is no intention in this strategy to compile lists of schools or to name and shame.

“We believe, if implemented sensibly, this strategy will provide extra resource to help us continue the dramatic progress we have made in raising standards at key stage four.”

However, Vince Allen, North-East spokesman for the National Union of Teachers, said: “This is yet another attempt on the part of the Government to put schools into crude categories. It doesnt seem to be very helpful”