National Challenge Framework

National Challenge (NC)

The National Challenge Framework (2008) was written in support of schools in challenging circumstances with a vision of breaking the deprivation cycle. Along with it came substantial sums of money for schools to put systems in place to close the achievement gap between social sectors. Disappointingly the framework made those same schools exceptionally vulnerable and the children a commodity. Whatever the leadership, whatever the progress, if schools reported attainment less than 30% 5A*-C grades including English and mathematics by the summer of 2011 the government would declare that those schools would close.

The NC framework was immediately imposed to identify the schools likely to require the NC support mechanisms and therefore at risk of closure. There were 658 schools on a list with the school I led being one of them. This led to those schools being publicly named and shamed through media reports nationwide. Unfortunately the local newspaper chose to identify my school with a strap line of ‘failing school’. I felt this to be extremely unhelpful to the hard working staff and the

An integrated approach to social care with a focus on good teaching rather than quick fixes is exactly what I greatly supported. I strongly believe that attention to social problems supporting where possible along with good teaching will have a greater effect than any short-term interventions to attain a GCSE grade ‘C’ in mathematics. Of course it could equally be argued that a certificate in mathematics will also have a life long effect but the learning is short lived if not understood. Children in challenging or any circumstances need both. As identified by the Save the Children Fund in 20013, research from the Centre for Excellence and Outcomes in Children and Young People Services predicted the importance of good teaching