What plans he has to raise secondary school standards in Stockton, South Constituency.

Secondary school standards have risen since 1997 and I am pleased to say that progress in Stockton, South has exceeded national rates of progress. The national challenge programme will ensure that, by 2011, every school will have at least 30 per cent. of its pupils achieving five or more GCSEs, including English and mathematics. That will include Thornaby community school in my hon. Friend's Constituency.

I am grateful for my right hon. Friend's confidence and for his statement about Thornaby community school. My right hon. Friend met the school's competent and professional head teacher and deputy head teacher. My concern is about how, and in what way, they will benefit from the challenge fund. Will parents be included in whatever support level we could see being delivered? Most particularly, will the quality of teaching supply staff be affected?

I enjoyed very much our meeting with Mrs. Russell-Bond, the head teacher at Thornaby community school. The school has seen its results for those with five GCSEs go from 28 per cent. to 39 per cent. in just one year, and the number including English and maths has gone from 12 per cent. to 18 per cent. I was impressed by her commitment and drive. I am sure that the school can get there, but she also made it clear to us that it will need extra help. Our £400 million is available to provide support for schools, including specialist teaching and learning support, but that support needs to be tailored to the context of the school. That is why, in the coming months, it is important that local authorities and schools, with our Department, work hard to ensure that schools get the support they need. We have also said that governing bodies and parents should be consulted. Our aim is to ensure that schools get the support that they need so that every parent can have a good school in their local area. We will support schools to meet that challenge.