Law will force schools to set targets

Schools will be required by law to measure their progress against performance targets from next year, Gillian Shephard, the Secretary of State for Education, announced yesterday.

They will have to set their own targets and will be compelled to tell parents in their annual reports whether they have met the targets. "Managers . . . know the benefits of setting targets, comparing performance and drawing up plans for meeting those targets," Mrs Shephard said. "Schools will be expected to set demanding targets."

Nigel de Gruchy, the general secretary of the National Association of Schoolmasters Union of Women Teachers said the announcement was an election gimmick. "It's actually aimed at the voter but it will hurt the teacher by focusing attention away from teaching and on to yet another set of targets." Judith Judd