About the National Challenge
The National Challenge was launched by the Secretary of State on June 10 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 will gain five or more GCSEs at A* - C including both English and mathematics.
Many of the schools below the 30 per cent threshold are good and improving, with strong and determined leadership. They are not failing schools but it is believed that schools below the floor target will benefit from individual support that helps them improve opportunities for their pupils.
The Department for Children, Schools and Families (DCSF) have high ambitions and believe all children need the skills and qualifications to ensure they have good life chances hence 30 per cent is a minimum aspiration.
According to the 2007 performance tables, there were 638 secondary schools in England below this floor target. This is not a school closure programme; it is about school improvement and giving schools extra support and resources to deliver better outcomes for children and young people.
The DCSF will provide universal support for schools below the 30 per cent threshold, including a National Challenge Adviser for each one.
There is a funding of £400 million to 2011 for the National Challenge.
Culverhay School
Culverhay is the only National Challenge school in Bath and North East Somerset and has been allocated £91,000 towards the National Challenge initiative.
As with many other secondary schools across England, Culverhay’s effectiveness was judged to be good by Ofsted at their last inspection. However, in 2007, less than 30% of the school’s Yr 11 pupils achieved 5 Grade Cs or above including English and Maths at GCSE.
Result improved in 2008 and this figure increased significantly to 36%, and the 2009 target for achievement is also above 30%, and the school is taking the necessary actions, with the full support of their National Challenge Advisor and Bath and North East to ensure that standards rise continue to rise in the future.
£78000 of the allocation will be devolved directly to Culverhay, whilst the remainder of the allocation will be retained by the local authority to fund the National Challenge Adviser support days.
Bath and North East Somerset NATIONAL CHALLENGE PLAN – AN OVERVIEW
Culverhay
The priorities in the plan are:
Identify students, track progress and deliver effective intervention
- Ensure effective subject leadership and management
- Create a learning environment where sustainable pupil progress is evident
Type of support the school is receiving:
- 13 days support from a National Challenge Adviser
- Leadership support from another headteacher who is an accredited National Leader in Education (NLE) funded additionally by B&NES
- Planning and teaching support from specialist consultants in core subjects, and with improving behaviour and attendance,
- Additional training for the governing body
- Coaching and mentoring for core subject heads of department
- Coaching and mentoring for headteacher and senior managers
- Ofsted style reviews of core departments.
How we will measure improvements:
- Achievement of academic targets at GCSE
- Improved pupil tracking, target setting and accountability monitored by senior management team,
- Regular monitoring of attendance and behaviour.
- LA reviews of departments.
Support from wider Children’s Services