To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families how many (a) secondary schools, (b) pupil referral units and (c) special schools (i) were in the National Challenge and (ii) had been in the National Challenge for more than (A) one year, (B) two years and (C) three years on the latest date for which information is available. (316721)

Currently there are 247 secondary schools below the National Challenge benchmark (less than 30 per cent. of pupils achieving five A*-C grade GCSEs including English and maths). The programme started in June 2008 and therefore no secondary schools have been in receipt of National Challenge support for more than two years.

However, of the 247 schools currently below the benchmark, 168 have been below this level for over two years, 147 for over three years and 133 for over four years.

Pupil referral units and special schools are not supported by National Challenge as the programme only supports maintained mainstream schools.

To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families how many (a) primary schools, (b) secondary schools, (c) pupil referral units and (d) special schools (i) were in special measures, (ii) had been in special measures for more than a year and (iii) had been in special measures for more than two years on the latest date for which information is available. (316723)

Data on schools in Ofsted categories are published termly by Ofsted. The latest data were published on 24 November 2009 and provide information on schools in categories as of 31 August 2009. The following table provides the information on the numbers of institutions placed in the Ofsted category of special measures, and the length of time institutions have been in that category. This information can be accessed at:

http://www.ofsted.gov.uk/Ofsted-home/Publications-and-research