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New boost to specialist schools
Charles Clarke has welcomed an increase in the number of schools with specialist status.
Figures released on Thursday showed that 1,954 secondary schools have now developed a special focus on a chosen subject.
With the latest wave seeing 268 new schools achieve specialist status, there has been a near eight-fold increase in the programme since Labour took power in 1997.
The education secretary said the schools were now lifting standards across the state sector, with 62 per cent of all secondary schools and 2.1 million pupils now part of the scheme.
Under the specialist schools scheme, £50,000 must be raised in private sector sponsorship and a four year plan to lift standards across local schools is also required.
However, those that achieve specialist status are still required to meet national curriculum requirements and deliver a "broad and balanced" education to all pupils.
Clarke also pointed to exam results showing that 7.5 per cent more pupils in specialist schools gained five good grades at GCSE level when compared to non-specialist schools.
"Specialists schools are a mass movement to raise standards in every school delivering better results for every single pupil," said the education secretary.
"It was said that specialist schools would not raise standards, they do."
He added that schools were being encouraged to "develop their own ethos" with a clear sense of responsibility for future improvements.
Responding to the announcement, the Liberal Democrats called on the government to scrap the £50,000 fee that schools are required to raise as part of their bid for specialist status.
"If ministers are serious about improving the teaching of young people they must scrap this punitive entrance fee," said education spokesman Phil Willis.
"Head teachers are wasting valuable time fundraising, when they should be leading their school communities.
"For many schools in rural areas, where business sponsorship is difficult to acquire, raising £50,000 can be a daunting prospect."
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