ABSTRACT
In 2004, there were still 186 secondary schools in England where fewer than one in four of their pupils gained five good GCSE grades. Though this was a significant improvement on 1997, when the total had stood at 616, it was a reflection of how far some schools still need to travel to offer their students a decent standard of education. Perhaps unsurprisingly, many of these schools are located in socially disadvantaged areas. A high proportion of their pupils is eligible for free school meals and many have English as a second language. Raising standards of achievement certainly requires considerable determination. But for these students, more than any others, it is vital. And despite the urgency of raising standards, time is essential. Although improvement can start quickly, it will usually take several years to raise standards significantly.
