Revolt over crackdown on 'coasting' state schools

ED BALLS faced embarrassment today after it emerged that councils are undermining his much-hyped war on "coasting" state schools.

The Children's Secretary promised a crackdown on secondary schools where results are satisfactory but "should be better" last November.

He ordered councils to draw up a hit list by the end of January of schools in comfortable suburbs where pupils are let down by unambitious teachers.

But councils and heads are angered by the label "coasting", as they were last year after the Government's tough rhetoric on "failing" comprehensives.

Only 93 schools out of more than 3,300 secondaries in England have been identified under the initiative, according to a survey by the Times Educational Supplement. Nearly half of councils have not identified any schools as coasting.

John Dunford, general secretary of the Association of School and College Leaders, said the Government's hard line was motivated by "getting headlines". He said: "They want to be seen to be doing something about schools which are underperforming."

A spokesman for the Department for Children said today: "This is not about labelling, it's about supporting. These schools will now qualify for additional funding and support."