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DCSF National Challenge

National Challenge

(support for schools below 30% 5+A* - C including English and Mathematics)

The National Challenge was launched by the Secretary of State on 10 June 2008. It is a programme of support to secure higher standards in all secondary schools so that, by 2011, at least 30 per cent of pupils in every school will gain five or more GCSEs at A*-C, including both English and mathematics. In 2007 there were 638 schools in England with results below this national floor target; in 2008 this figure reduced significantly.

Hertfordshire Local Authority is working very closely with the DCSF in supporting the five Hertfordshire secondary schools whose results in 2008 were below the national floor target. Each school, over the next three years, will have substantial financial and other support from the National Challenge and the Local Authority. In addition, the Local Authority, from its own resources, is supporting a group of schools whose results are above the national floor target but below 40%. The aim is that by 2011, at the latest, all Hertfordshire secondary schools will be above the 30 per cent threshold.

A three-year programme of support has been determined with the Hertfordshire National Challenge schools. Each of the schools already has, and will continue to have, a substantial programme of support from Local Authority advisers, consultants and officers. This encompasses a range of activity including curriculum and leadership support and personnel and financial advice.

Brief details of the first year of the programme for each school are given below. There will be similar levels of funding from the National Challenge in the following two years.

• Word 2003, 31kb/3 pages, 14/01/2009, national_challenge.doc