Show you can boost results, headteachers at failing schools told

Headteachers at all failing schools were today ordered to come up with "robust plans" to turn themselves around or face being taken over.

Fifteen secondary schools in London were classed as failing this week after new GCSE league tables.

Education Secretary Michael Gove today told them to hand in performance plans to prove they can boost performance.

The plans will be judged by Dr Elizabeth Sidwell, the new Schools Commissioner.

Those that cannot improve face being turned into academies.

Of the 15 failing schools in London, four are academies. A Department for Education source said they will "work with sponsors" of academies that are failing.

The 15 London secondary schools all failed to meet the Government's new "floor target" which classes schools as failing if less than 35 per cent of children pass five good GCSEs, and if results are improving at a lower than average rate.

Previously schools were labelled as failing if less than 30 per cent of students passed five good GCSEs.