Top performers praised
SCHOOLS Minister David Laws has written to more than 20 of the top-performing secondary schools in the region based on the latest league tables rankings.
He praised schools which have narrowed the gap between the results of pupils from deprived backgrounds and their peers in last summer’s GCSE results. Mr Laws said: “I am pleased to see the appalling attainment gap between the poorest pupils and their peers narrowing. This is indeed encouraging, but we must get rid of it completely.
“We are targeting more funding than ever before to help all children meet their full potential, whatever their background.” Next year schools will get an extra £900 for every pupil on free school meals.