This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/education/8393946.stm

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Primary schools told to improve Primary schools told to improve
(about 9 hours later)
More than 1,400 primary schools in England could be targeted in a campaign to improve literacy and numeracy.More than 1,400 primary schools in England could be targeted in a campaign to improve literacy and numeracy.
They are the schools that fall below a government "floor target" for attainment in the English and maths national curriculum tests, or "Sats".They are the schools that fall below a government "floor target" for attainment in the English and maths national curriculum tests, or "Sats".
Ministers want at least 55% of pupils in every school reaching the expected standard for their age, Level 4.Ministers want at least 55% of pupils in every school reaching the expected standard for their age, Level 4.
Local authorities will be told to drive the improvement - with about 10 areas coming in for special pressure. Local authorities will be told to drive the improvement - with about a dozen areas coming in for special pressure.
The drive, to be announced by Schools Secretary Ed Balls on Friday, smacks of the National Challenge that was used on secondary schools.The drive, to be announced by Schools Secretary Ed Balls on Friday, smacks of the National Challenge that was used on secondary schools.
'Worsening standards''Worsening standards'
That highly controversial move targeted initially more than 600 schools that fell below a GCSE threshold. They were threatened with takeover or closure.That highly controversial move targeted initially more than 600 schools that fell below a GCSE threshold. They were threatened with takeover or closure.
Critics of the initiative pointed out that some of the schools had been rated "outstanding" by Ofsted for the excellent job they were doing in deprived areas.Critics of the initiative pointed out that some of the schools had been rated "outstanding" by Ofsted for the excellent job they were doing in deprived areas.
It is expected that the same approach will not be replicated in primary schools.It is expected that the same approach will not be replicated in primary schools.
Instead the emphasis will be on support rather than sanctions. Mr Balls wants an action plan from all local authorities by February next year.Instead the emphasis will be on support rather than sanctions. Mr Balls wants an action plan from all local authorities by February next year.
This week's primary school league tables showed how England's schools were getting worse.This week's primary school league tables showed how England's schools were getting worse.
Nationally, the average attainment in both English and maths is 72% - down one percentage point on last year, against a target of 78% by 2011.Nationally, the average attainment in both English and maths is 72% - down one percentage point on last year, against a target of 78% by 2011.
We want as many children as possible to leave school with the secure grasp of the basics Schools minister Diana JohnsonWe want as many children as possible to leave school with the secure grasp of the basics Schools minister Diana Johnson
They also revealed that at least 1,472 schools fell below the floor target of 55% attainment - 113 more than the previous year. The number might be higher but the tables do not include the results from large numbers of small schools.They also revealed that at least 1,472 schools fell below the floor target of 55% attainment - 113 more than the previous year. The number might be higher but the tables do not include the results from large numbers of small schools.
Schools Minister Diana Johnson said at the time that schools had made huge progress over the past 12 years - but the results confirmed "a small dip" in English performance this year.Schools Minister Diana Johnson said at the time that schools had made huge progress over the past 12 years - but the results confirmed "a small dip" in English performance this year.
"We want as many children as possible to leave school with the secure grasp of the basics and after years of the necessary top down approach, it's now down to local authorities to get all schools making progress all of the time - no ifs or buts," she said."We want as many children as possible to leave school with the secure grasp of the basics and after years of the necessary top down approach, it's now down to local authorities to get all schools making progress all of the time - no ifs or buts," she said.
Ministers and government standards advisers are particularly displeased with schools that have set themselves what they regard as realistic attainment targets - but which are below their previous results.Ministers and government standards advisers are particularly displeased with schools that have set themselves what they regard as realistic attainment targets - but which are below their previous results.
In target-setting guidance to schools this summer, the government said: "Evidence shows that children in care, some black and minority ethnic groups and pupils from deprived backgrounds do less well and at each stage fall further behind.In target-setting guidance to schools this summer, the government said: "Evidence shows that children in care, some black and minority ethnic groups and pupils from deprived backgrounds do less well and at each stage fall further behind.
"Schools should be setting targets for underachieving pupils that help them make much faster progress to close the gap between them and their peers."Schools should be setting targets for underachieving pupils that help them make much faster progress to close the gap between them and their peers.
"All pupils identified as having [special educational needs] and who are assessed as being unlikely to reach threshold levels should have personalised and ambitious targets which seek the best possible progress and outcomes.""All pupils identified as having [special educational needs] and who are assessed as being unlikely to reach threshold levels should have personalised and ambitious targets which seek the best possible progress and outcomes."
The message is that some schools manage to have their pupils make great progress in spite of their disadvantages.The message is that some schools manage to have their pupils make great progress in spite of their disadvantages.