EDUCATION chiefs have got the go-ahead to raise standards in Radcliffe schools.

Minister for schools standards Stephen Timms has approved Bury's Education Development Plan (EDP). This sets out the aims for improving standards by 2007 and plans for reaching targets agreed with the Government by 2004.

In particular, the EDP will focus on reducing underachievement in some ethnic minority groups; improving standards in children's early years at school by working in partnership with the voluntary and private sector; more action to raise standards for pupils with special educational needs.

Targets for achievement at Key Stage 3, 14-year-olds, within the borough for 2004 are 80 per cent of pupils achieving level 5 or above for English, 82 per cent for maths, 77 per cent for science and 75 per cent for information computer technology. All are above the national targets.

Similarly, Bury's education chiefs want 58 per cent of 16-year-olds to gain five or more GCSE A* to C grades and 98 per cent to achieve five or more A* to G grades in the 2004 examinations.

Mr Timms said: "Education development plans are an important part of our commitment to drive up standards throughout the country. We need local authorities to tackle underachievement with strong, well thought-out actions that leave no groups of pupils behind."