To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families how many schools were in the National Challenge as at 25 January 2009; and if he will make a statement. (253176)

There is good progress towards meeting the National Challenge. In 2007 there were 631 schools where fewer than 30 per cent. of pupils achieved five A*-C grades including English and mathematics at GCSE. This figure has reduced to 440 on the basis of final published data which is a reduction of 191 schools. All schools below the threshold will receive bespoke support as appropriate from the National Challenge.

To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families by what means his Department plans to evaluate school-level indicators of well-being. (253743)

Our joint consultation with Ofsted on school-level indicators of well-being has just finished and we are currently considering responses before making final decisions on what the indicators will be. The next steps will be for Ofsted to trial the indicators and for this Department to work with Ofsted to develop an evaluation plan.