Exam target retreat

Secondary school head teachers could be allowed to set their own targets for how well their pupils should do in exams, the Evening Standard can reveal.

The move, signalled by education minister David Miliband, would represent a further significant retreat from New Labour's policy of tight control from Whitehall. But it is likely to be attacked by critics as opening the way for a slip in standards if heads opt for an easy ride.

Primary school heads already have the power to set their own achievement targets for their pupils at age 11. And overall national targets which the Government promised to hit this year have been downgraded to "aspirations" for 2006 - after the next General Election. Today, in an interview with the Evening Standard, Mr Miliband paved the way for the same policy on test results for 14-year-olds in English, maths and science.

Ministers have pledged that by next year, 75per cent of 14-year-olds should reach approved standards in English and maths. Last year's tests left schools still short, at 68 per cent in English and 70 per cent in maths.

Asked whether secondary school heads could be allowed to set their own targets within those national goals, Mr Miliband said: "Let's see how it progresses. I've been very encouraged about the way secondary schools have reacted to the strategy. But I am not ruling anything out."

Tony Blair earlier this month signalled a new approach, saying Whitehall-imposed targets had gone too far.

The Prime Minister said: "There is a case for reducing the number of central government targets. It is certainly a balance that is worth looking at; that is one of the things we are doing."

Last week, key pledges on health care were amended by the Government after doctors said they were interfering with patient care.

In a wide- ranging interview, Mr Miliband denied that the Government was running out of "new ideas" in education-And he identified reform in the structure-of exams for pupils aged 14-19 as one of the most important next steps in Labour's education revolution. Mr Miliband was careful not to commit the Government to backing the proposals for a new secondary school diploma outlined yesterday by Mike Tomlinson.

He left no doubt that he believes they carry the potential for motivating pupils who now give up on education at age 16. "The test is whether it helps to raise standards, and that means increasing participation after 16," he said. "But the potential is there ... a similar structure works in the US, where high school graduation at 18 is viewed as the passport for work or higher education."