§ 31. Mr. Ben ChapmanTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what steps she is taking to raise standards at key stage 3. [50377]
§ 33. David WrightTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if she will make a statement on initiatives to improve educational performance among 11 to 14-years-olds. [50379]
§ Mr. TimmsOur plans to transform secondary education include a major programme to help schools improve the attainment of all 11 to 14-year-olds, as confirmed by the Secretary of State in her recent DEMOS speech. The key stage 3 strategy sets high expectations and challenging targets. It aims to improve the quality of teaching and learning in the classroom by investing in teachers' professional development. We are supporting expenditure on the strategy of around £500 million from 2001–02 to 2003–04.