Balls intervenes in inadequate Milton Keynes services

Balls instructed Milton Keynes council to set up an improvement board by the end of July and to put in place a plan for improvement by the end of September. The board will be chaired by Peter Kemp, previously acting interim director of children's integrated services for Lancashire County Council

Balls said: "In my direction I have set clear targets that I expect the council to address as it draws up the necessary improvement plan. I have asked that there is a particular emphasis on improving attainment in secondary schools by narrowing the gap for those in receipt of free schools meals, raising attainment of those with special educational needs and reducing to zero the number of schools where less than 30 per cent of pupils get five or more higher-level GCSEs."

The Department for Children, Schools and Families will formally review progress with Milton Keynes council at the end of the year.

After Milton Keynes children's services was rated "inadequate" in its annual performance assessment at the end of last year an independent review confirmed that there continue to be areas of inadequate performance, despite some recent progress.

Children's minister Dawn Primarolo, in a letter to Sam Crooks, leader of Milton Keynes Council, identified educational attainment as an area of weakness as well as joint working and leadership.