EDUCATION bosses in Blackburn and Darwen have drawn up guidelines to help schools identified by the Government as having serious weaknesses.

Schools found to be under-performing by government inspectors are placed in to a category called "special measures."

These schools are closely monitored by inspectors and under new proposals any school which fails to increase standards in its classrooms could be closed and re-opened with different staff and a different name.

Blackburn with Darwen Council will adopt measures which education chiefs believe will provide struggling schools with the support they need to increase standards. The measures include:

Setting up an initial meeting between council education officers, governors and the headteacher to formulate a "recovery plan" and target date by which identified areas of concern should be tackled.

The possible granting of extra cash to help schools.

Making sure regular meetings take place between council officers and staff to review progress.

Reports on progress at schools will be included on council education committees and working groups.

The possible appointment of a "mentor" by the council to support the headteacher in his or her task of raising standards.

The council's school standards sub committee will discuss the proposals at a meeting on Tuesday.

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