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Assessment and performance

National Challenge

The National Challenge was launched by the Secretary of State in June 2008 and is a programme of support for specific secondary schools across the country to achieve higher standards. The government is keen to ensure that 30% of pupils in every secondary school gain five or more GCSEs at A*-C, including English and maths, by 2011.

The Secretary of State recognises that many of these schools (originally there were 638 identified) are good and improving but need additional support and resources in order that the pupils can attain higher standards and better life chances. However 30% has been set as the minimum aspiration and so those schools not already achieving this figure have been targeted for further improvement.

Local Authorities have talked to their secondary schools and Department for Children, Schools and Families (DCSF) advisers to identify the schools which would benefit from additional support. Some have been included that are already above the 30% figure as there is general agreement that these schools would also benefit from additional resource. Across the country it is now known which schools are taking part in the National Challenge.

The National Challenge in Calderdale

Calderdale has included two schools within the National Challenge programme.  Both schools are making pleasing improvement and one, Park Lane High, achieved its best ever 5 A* - C results in 2008 (24%). St Catherine’s Roman Catholic High School has also been included even though it achieved above the 30% baseline in 2008 (31%). The head teachers, DCSF advisers and local authority officers are working in partnership to improve standards further in both schools.

The amount of funding agreed for Calderdale’s two National Challenge schools for the 2008/9 financial year is £196 000. This is a very welcome additional resource for these schools.

In Calderdale it is the schools’ leadership teams that will lead on this initiative. However the local authority and DCSF advisers will also be offering support and challenge. A National Challenge adviser has been appointed to work in both schools and he will support, monitor and evaluate the progress and impact that is being made in the schools.

What plans have the schools got to spend the money?

The schools have written raising attainment plans which are continually changing. Park Lane High will receive 20 days of support from the National Challenge (NC) adviser and St Catherine’s 15 during this school year. The NC adviser will report back to the local authority on the progress being made in both schools. As well as this additional resource the schools will also use the extra funding for the following:

Park Lane High

• To employ an additional English teacher and an additional learning mentor for maths.
• To employ additional year manager posts.
• To strengthen the leadership team.
• Additional support from local authority consultants in core subjects (English, maths, science).
• Support from a head teacher from another local secondary school.

St Catherine’s

• Additional support from local authority consultants in core subjects (English, maths, science).
• Strengthening the leadership team by employing another Deputy Head teacher.
• To employ an additional maths teacher to strengthen the department and impact on pupil progress.

We will measure the impact and improvements by constantly reviewing that:

• There are demonstrable improvements being made by targeted pupils.
• Teaching and Learning improves as well as leadership and management in the schools.
• English and maths results improve at both Key Stages 3 and 4.

Where can I find out more information?

You can find out more information about the National Challenge on the DCSF website National Challenge DCSF|

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