Plans to raise education standards in areas most in need

Education secretary Damian Hinds has announced a package of measures designed to raise education standard by supporting underperforming schools and offering more opportunities for young people.

The moves includes more than £45 million for successful multi-academy trusts to help tackle underperformance and improve schools in areas that lack capacity.

The plans also involve 75 projects sharing £25million to provide more support for schools, many of which will increase pupils’ literacy and numeracy skills. This is as well as the publication of the next six Opportunity Area plans in Bradford, Doncaster, Fenland and East Cambridgeshire, Hastings, Ipswich and Stoke-on-Trent.

The announcement builds on the government’s record of 1.9million more children now in good or outstanding schools than in 2010, England’s pupils now amongst the world’s best readers and GCSE and A levels reformed to match the best education systems in the world.

Hinds said: “As Education secretary, I want all children to get a truly world-class education that not only inspires them to make the most of their lives but also gives them the opportunity to fulfil their ambitions, no matter where they live.

“Standards are rising in schools across the country but there is more to do to make sure that every child benefits from the progress we’ve already made thanks to an incredibly talented generation of teachers.

“By supporting good and outstanding schools to help others improve, and focusing on disadvantaged areas where our young people need extra help, we can continue to make a difference to people’s everyday lives and build a Britain that’s fit for the future.”