PM threatens poorly performing schools with closure

By Rich Bowden, M&C Staff Writer Oct 31, 2007, 11:35 GMT

British Prime Minister Gordon Brown walks back to No.10 Downing Street after attending King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia inspecting the Guard of Honour with The Duke of Edinburgh at Horse Guards Parade, 30 October 2007 during the King\'s three-day state visit to the UK. EPA/Gerry Penny

(M&C) - In his first major education speech since taking over the prime ministership from Tony Blair, Gordon Brown has said schools which do not meet set GCSE pass rate standards will be faced with closure.

Mr Brown will announce that every school in Britain must ensure that at least three in ten of their pupils achieve five A-C passes within six years.

The prime minister is urging council intervention where the standard is not being maintained.

"Every parent has got the right to expect that every child will have a decent school to go to. That is why we are going to crack down on failing schools," he said.

Mr Brown also promised the government would intervene where problems such as bullying interferes with a child's progress in schooling.

"There is a report that says our teachers are the best that they have ever been because of the qualifications and the standards that they have got. But we have problems with discipline, bullying, we have problems where children are not aspirational enough, they are falling behind, and we must take action early," he said.

"I have come in, I am making these changes, I believe these changes will work. If a school is failing, you don't wait, you take action."

Mr Brown is insisting there must be no schools falling below the set academic standard by the year 2012/13.