Councils and academies given six weeks to set out plans for underperforming schools

He said he would not be prescriptive about what the improvement plans might entail, but added: "In many cases, I expect an academy solution will be the most appropriate route to securing improvement."

All primary and secondary schools below the government’s new minimum standards, or "floor targets", will be expected to improve.

A secondary school will be judged below the floor target if fewer than 35 per cent of pupils achieve five GCSEs grades A*-C including English and mathematics or if below average numbers of pupils make expected levels of progress in English and maths.

A primary school will be below target if fewer than 60 per cent of pupils achieve the standard of Level 4 in both English and maths at Key Stage 2 or if pupils do not make the usual levels of progress between Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2 in English and maths.

Dr Elizabeth Sidwell, the schools commissioner, will work with local authorities to consider "academy solutions" for schools with a history of underperformance.

Gove is also urging councils to consider the use of national and local leaders of education and teaching schools to drive improvement.

Sidwell argued that underperformance is a "long and depressing blight on our education system".

"I want to work with local authorities to come up with robust plans to tackle underperformance, brokering academy solutions and helping all schools to become excellent," she said.

"Children do not get a second chance for a good school education, and so I will not hesitate to challenge local authorities or academy sponsors where standards are not good enough."

Once school improvement plans have been agreed with government officials, "lead advisers" will work with councils and academies to put the proposals in place.

Gove said that many improvements "will not require extra financial resources".

However, where funding is "crucial" to improving a school, cash will be made available this financial year.