Trusts scheme to help weak schools
Tuesday, September 30, 2008
Struggling schools in three local authorities are to receive funding and support as part of the government's National Challenge trusts initiative.
The schools are all part of the National Challenge, the programme designed to boost the performance of secondary schools with only 30 per cent of pupils or less achieving five good GCSEs.
But while all National Challenge schools must reach improvement targets by 2011, those involved in the trusts scheme will get extra support. The model will be flexible and dependent on local need, but each trust will partner a weak school with a high-performing school, college or university.
In some cases, the National Challenge trust will appoint new head teachers and leadership teams. Local business and community leaders may also be recruited to advise the trusts on improving standards.
The first National Challenge trusts will be in Essex, Hull and North Yorkshire. The scheme will be funded by the local authority and the government's £400m National Challenge fund.
The National Challenge programme was launched in June.
