Education system 'failing deprived'

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Government figures obtained by the Tories show 55% of schools in the most deprived areas of the country did not achieve 30% of their pupils getting five GCSEs at A*-C including English and maths.

The Government wants to see all secondary schools in England achieve the 30% target by 2011.

Shadow schools secretary Michael Gove said the figures highlighted the Government's "failure" to close the gap between rich and poor pupils.

The data, obtained from parliamentary questions asked by Mr Gove, showed that in 2007, of the 259 schools in the most deprived areas, 144 schools did not reach the 30% benchmark.

In contrast, of the 304 schools in the least deprived areas of the country, only nine schools or 3% had less than 30% of pupils getting five good GCSEs.

The figures are contained in a document launched by Mr Gove which claims inequality in schools is increasing and the education system "entrenches disadvantage".

The Tories say the data highlights "the stark divide in achievement between the most well-off children and the rest".

The document, A Failed Generation - Educational Inequality under Labour claims children in the most deprived areas of the country are 20 times more likely to go to a failing school than children in the least deprived areas.

Twelve local authorities had less than a quarter of pupils attempt English, maths, science and a modern language at GCSE. These included Hartlepool, Kingston-upon-Hull, Barking and Dagenham, Middlesbrough and Knowsley.