CYP Now - Every child matters: Confidential report finds no firm proof of improved standards

A high-level Government review of the Every Child Matters programme has found no firm proof that it is improving school standards. But the confidential investigation has uncovered an arsenal of anecdotal evidence to suggest that it is having a positive effect on most schools.

Prime Minister Tony Blair ordered the "priority review" of the agendaand school standards earlier this year (Children Now, 28 June-4 July).It is understood that he wanted a cast-iron case for spending heavily onchildren's services.

The results of the review have not been made public, but Children Nowhas obtained a summary of the key findings, drafted by officials at theDepartment for Education and Skills.

It states: "At this stage, it is difficult to discern in the nationalstatistics a visible acceleration in school standards as a consequenceof Every Child Matters. However, there is no performance data suggestingthe programme is distracting schools from the standards agenda. The vastmajority of the heads we spoke to thought that Every Child Matters has arole to play in improving standards."

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