§ Mr. SutcliffeTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will announce the requirements for school-level target setting from September 1998. [43104]
§ Mr. ByersSchool based target-setting for pupil performance will be introduced in September 1998 for all maintained schools, including special schools, with a requirement for two targets for 11 year olds, in English and Mathematics at Key Stage 2, and three targets for 16 year olds at GCSE (or GNVQ equivalent) level. We are clear that this process should support school improvement and should not become a burdensome administrative procedure.
All maintained schools (including special schools) with pupils at the appropriate ages will be required to set the following targets from September 1998:
Key Stage 2: % of pupils attaining level 4 or above in EnglishKey Stage 2: % of pupils attaining level 4 or above in mathematicsKey Stage 4: % of pupils attaining 5 or more GCSEs or equivalent at grades A*-C376WKey Stage 4: % of pupils attaining 1 or more GCSEs or equivalent at grades A*-GKey Stage 4: Average GCSE (or equivalent) points score per pupil.Targets should be set each Autumn and should relate to those pupils who will take the National Curriculum tests or GCSE examinations or equivalent in the following school year, i.e. five terms later.
The regulatory framework will be laid before Parliament shortly. Schools should receive details of the requirement via a circular in the summer term.