City Challenge Leadership Strategy

City Challenge is a three year project aimed at raising attainment within three areas, London, Greater Manchester and the Black Country. Through school support and bespoke development for school leaders, it is hoped to make a real difference by focusing on three key outcomes:

1. to develop a strong culture of learning in all schools that will lead to a sharp drop in underperforming schools
2. to narrow the attainment gap between children from advantaged and disadvantaged backgrounds
3. to increase the number of outstanding schools

A central part of the Challenge will be the Leadership Strategy, which NCSL has been asked to run. We will work with partners to develop this strategy in the two new Challenge areas of the Black Country and Greater Manchester, building on the successes of the London Leadership Strategy, which is already well-established.

London

The London Challenge was launched in 2003 and is now being extended for a further three years as part of City Challenge. Further information is available on the London Leadership Strategy page.

Black Country

The Black Country Challenge officially launched in April 2008. Further information is available on the Black Country Leadership Strategy page.

Greater Manchester

The Greater Manchester Challenge officially launched in April 2008. Further information is available on the Greater Manchester Leadership Strategy page.

City Challenge initiative

Find out more about the City Challenge initiative on the Department for Children, Schools and Families (DCSF) website.