To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will make a statement on devolving responsibilities to schools as part of an overall drive to push up school standards. (S1O-103)

Devolved school management has been a great success in Scotland. It is significant in helping schools to address local priorities and fits well with our drive for continuous improvement in every school in Scotland.

How far will the responsibility for target setting be devolved to schools?

Detailed targets are set locally, in discussion between the school and the education authority. There is scope in the system to accommodate particular local circumstances. This morning, I was in a school where that had been done very successfully. The system will be kept under review and head teachers will always have a strong role in local target setting.