Extra funding will help schools in Hull to transform their results

Hull North MP Diana Johnson today welcomed news that seven Hull schools will get a share of £400 million to improve their results over the next three years.

The new funding is part of 'National Challenge', which will give extra support and investment to 638 schools where fewer than 30 per cent of pupils get five or more good GCSEs, including English and Maths, above that target by 2011.

Working with school governing bodies, Hull's local authority has been asked to revise their improvement plans for each of these schools by the end of the summer term.

Each school is different and some will need more support than others. Many National Challenge schools are already improving and on the path to success, while some will need greater investment and change such as becoming an academy or trust school to transform their results.

Hull North MP Diana Johnson said: "School standards have risen over the last ten years, but we need to go further to transform results in some of our secondary schools - with a particular focus on the core subjects of English and maths.

"It is great news that seven schools in Hull will get extra investment and support, on top of the extra funding already provided since 1997. This will help them get above the 30 per cent target over the next three years. I want to work with the Hull North schools to help them make the fullest use of this extra investment.

"Schools that fail to make progress and are stuck with very low results will need even more support. This may include linking up with high performing schools nearby, bringing in a university or business sponsor or becoming an academy. However, it is right that improvement plans are drawn up with the engagement of governing bodies, teachers, heads and parents."

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