[holding answer 26 November 2007]: Standards of teaching and learning in primary and secondary schools have risen substantially since 1997. This is as a result of a number of factors, including challenge and support through the Primary and Secondary National Strategies. They provide; continuing professional development to primary and secondary schools to support them in raising standards in teaching; support better use of pupil performance data and challenge schools and local authorities to set ambitious targets for their pupils. In 2007-08 funding of £45 million was provided for the West Midlands in 2007-08 to support improvement programmes in teaching and learning with specific focus on core subjects through the National Strategies.
Earlier this year, the Government announced that the Black Country—which includes Dudley, Sandwell, Walsall and Wolverhampton—had been chosen as one of the regions to benefit from the new City Challenge programme. This programme will be formally launched in April 2008, and the region will receive about £28 million over the next three years to support around 190,000 pupils in those local authorities.
The main objectives of the programme are:
A sharp drop in underperforming schools, particularly focusing on English and Maths
More outstanding schools
Significant improvements in educational outcomes for disadvantaged children.