HC Deb 13 March 2003 vol 401 c400W
16. John Mann

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what steps his Department is taking to improve secondary school results in coalfield areas. [102718]

Mr. Miliband

My Department has set a number of challenging targets aimed at raising the attainment of secondary school pupils in coalfield and other areas, including floor targets at Key Stage 2, 3 and GCSE level. In addition, my Department has targeted measures such as Education Action Zones and Excellence in Cities, to raise standards in particularly disadvantaged areas. These focus on improving the quality of teaching and learning, tackling social exclusion and providing support to families and pupils.