§ Mr. David DavisTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment (1) for what reasons, in setting achievement targets for primary and secondary schools, he uses data based on pupils' eligibility for, or take-up of, free school meals; [35330]
(2) what reasons, in setting achievement targets for primary and secondary schools, he does not use data based on pupils' prior achievement. [35331]
§ Mr. ByersIt is for schools themselves, rather than for the Secretary of State, to set achievement targets. In doing so they will draw on relevant data, including socio-economic characteristics of their intake and the prior attainment of their pupils. School targets should take account of the 1997 benchmark information and other comparative data set out in the Performance and Assessment reports recently provided to each school. School targets should also take account of the national targets for English and Mathematics at age 11.