Councillors have approved plans to cut targets for the private company running Bradford’s schools.

But the proposals have been amended to ensure that Education Bradford, operated by Serco, has “to do more for its money”.
The new targets mean the firm no longer has to aim to get schools’ test results up to the national average.

Instead the goal will be to get into the top quarter of a table of 12 authorities judged to be similar. This means lowering targets for attainment for pupils of all ages.

In GCSEs, 39 per cent of Bradford’s pupils achieved five A-C grades against a target of 53 per cent - the national average. But the new target will be to get 47 per cent of pupils to achieve five A-C grades.
Expectations at Key Stage One, Two and Three are also lowered.
The plan angered some councillors at a scrutiny committee last week when it was claimed the new targets would make it easier for Serco to earn a bonus of up to £1 million.

The Young People and Education Improvement Committee had refused to support the plans but members of the Council executive were asked to approve them yesterday.

But the executive accepted two amendments to make it tougher for Education Bradford to earn its bonus. Instead of getting £19,500 for achieving each of its target points, the firm will now receive £17,500.
And, in areas where Bradford is already in the top quarter of the table of 12 similar authorities, it will now have to move into first or second place in order for Education Bradford to receive a bonus.

This recommendation was made because, under the proposed system, the company could be rewarded with up to £220,000 in bonuses without delivering any improvements.

Coun Phil Thornton, the chairman of the Young People and Education Improvement Committee, said he believed the proposed system would make it too easy for Education Bradford to receive its maximum payment of £1 million.

He said: “We were determined to make sure that maximum value is obtained for the £1 million available and we are not convinced the current proposal ensures this is achieved.
“There are 57 targets areas and, under the proposals, the contractor can obtain £1 million by achieving just 22 of these targets - which is 39 per cent.”

Councillor Dale Smith, executive member for education, said: “I maintain that targeting against those 12 is challenging. The targets are not easy because each of those 12 will be striving to improve their performance.”
After the meeting, Coun Thornton said the amendments meant Education Bradford would have to do more for its money and standards of attainment would be raised.