About the National Challenge

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.

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 funding of £400m to 2011 for National Challenge.

Northumberland schools have been allocated £74,000 towards the National Challenge initiative.

Schools within the National Challenge Programme

Northumberland has two schools that fall into the National Challenge programme.  In 2007, 28% pupils at Blyth Community College achieved  5+ A*-C GCSEs, including English and Maths, while 22% pupils at Hirst High School  achieved 5+ A*-C GCSEs, including English and Maths.  Results for 2008 show that both schools have improved markedly, with Blyth Community College achieving above the 30% threshold and both are working closely with their National Challenge Advisor and the Local Authority to make sure that they move above and stay above the threshold in future. £27,000 of the allocation will be devolved directly to Hirst High School, while Blyth Community College will receive £22,000 in direct funding.  The remainder of the allocation will be retained by the Local Authority to fund the National Challenge Adviser support days.

Hirst High School is in the Hirst Partnership (pyramid) in Ashington.  All schools within the partnership will close in August 2009 and will then re-open as the 3-18, all age The Northumberland Church of England Academy in September 2009.

NORTHUMBERLAND'S NATIONAL CHALLENGE PLAN - AN OVERVIEW

 BLYTH COMMUNITY COLLEGE

Type of support the school is receiving:

• 10 Days Support from a National Challenge Adviser.
• Planning support from specialist consultants in core subjects (Maths, English, Science

and Teaching & Learning) 

• Headteacher Mentor in place to support new Headteacher.
• Supported networking carried out between Headteacher and other new Headteachers.
• Funding for an outreach worker to encourage better attendance

How we will measure improvements:

• Good practice and shared planning between those schools with persistent absence issues are ongoing to improve from a standard of satisfactory to good.
• Improved pupil tracking, target setting and accountability, monitored by restructured senior team.
• Achievement of targets at GCSE.

Additional support drawn from:

• Exclusions Officer (Education Other Than at School Service)
• Behaviour Education and Support Team Service
• Parenting Support Partner
• Educational Psychologist
• Education Welfare Officer

HIRST HIGH SCHOOL

Type of support the school is receiving

• 15 Days support from a National Challenge Adviser
• Planning support from specialist consultants in core subjects (Maths, English, Science), Teaching & Learning and Assessment for Learning.
• Training for Middle Leaders in curriculum planning, implementation and monitoring.
• Funded KS3 Literacy Project Supported networking carried out between Headteacher and other new Headteachers.
• Additional support drawn from Educational Psychologist and Education Welfare Officer.
• Funding for an outreach worker to encourage better attendance.
• How we will measure improvements
•  Assessment for Learning (AfL) development group established.  Staff trained as AfL coaches.
• Percentage of school and exam attendance increased. 
• Percentage of Persistent Absence decreased.
• Achievement of targets at GCSE.

Click here to download the full plan.

For more general information on the National Challenge programme, click here to link to the DCSF website: