ABSTRACT
It considers the importance of setting targets to raise attainment and the ways in which school leaders can improve this process.
INTRODUCTION
All schools have to set targets for the end of Key Stage scores in English, Maths and Science. This owes a lot to the fact that the Secretary of State for Education has raising standards as one of his central educational aims. His key date is 2002 and the national targets for this year are that at the end of Key Stage 2,80 per cent of children will achieve level 4 and above in English and 75 per cent will achieve level 4 and above in Maths. Setting targets, however, will not make these scores happen. Just saying to teachers that a certain percentage will achieve certain goals will not make those goals more attainable. Target setting is really about knowing what your children are capable of, having high expectations and knowing what needs to happen in order to satisfy those expectations.
