Plans to improve performance at schools » Communities » 24dash.com

Newham Council has announced plans designed to help two of its schools raise the achievement levels and aspirations of pupils.

The council intends to work with the Department for Children, Schools and Families in improving performance at Eastlea School in Canning Town and Royal Docks School in Custom House.

The schools are currently beneath the Governments expectation of at least 30% of young people achieving five or more GCSEs at grades A* to C including English and Maths. The council has a framework outlining options that can be considered for improving schools in these circumstances.

The council is to explore the option that Eastlea becomes a National Challenge Trust school. This will see the council developing a strong partnership with business or higher education partners such as a university in order to improve performance at the school.

At Royal Docks School, the council is working towards creating an Academy where high quality sponsors such as business and education partners will be appointed to take on governance of the school from the local authority.

The council has the option of replacing the governing bodies at both schools with an Interim Executive Board that is focused on introducing the planned changes and driving up performance. The process could take from four to eight months in both cases.

Mayor of Newham, Sir Robin Wales, said: Education in Newham is improving and our young people achieve as well or better than others from less deprived areas.

Pupils in our secondary schools performed well in this years GCSE examinations and the percentage achieving five or more GCSE grades from A* to C rose by 1.4 per cent. The results have however highlighted two schools that are not delivering sufficiently well in terms of GCSE performance.

We must act if we are to safeguard the future life chances of children at those schools, to enable them to gain the skills they need to take advantage of the job opportunities arising from the 2012 Games and other major regeneration projects.

Andrew Adonis, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Schools and Learners, added: I am delighted to support Newhams ambition to look towards developing a National Challenge Trust school and an Academy in Newham. This offers exciting opportunities for young people and the Government stands ready to make significant investment to support the Mayors exciting vision.

Councillor Quintin Peppiatt, executive member for children and young people services, said: We cannot allow under-performance to continue and we believe the options for change to an Academy or a National Challenge Trust is appropriate for bringing about quick and sustainable improvements.

Discussions are now getting under way with staff, pupils, governors, parents of children at the schools and other key stakeholders, about the benefits and wider implications of the proposals. They will be kept informed of key developments going forward.

Kim Bromley-Derry, executive director of children and young people services, said: We want to reassure people that the best interests of young people are at the heart of these proposals.