National Challenge Plan

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.

According to the 2007 performance tables, there were 638 secondary schools in England below this floor target. The Department for Children, Schools and Families will provide universal support for schools below the 30 per cent threshold, including a National Challenge Adviser for each one. Schools and their local authorities have been asked to identify the correct package for each school’s needs. There is overall funding of £400m to 2011 for National Challenge.

We have now published a summary of our plans (please see below) for National Challenge, including the overall funding level for Buckinghamshire, details of our planned and confirmed structural changes and the number of National Challenge Adviser days.