Ministers want to see at least 30 per cent of students passing five top grade GCSEs, including English and maths, but 10 city schools are currently failing to achieve that figure.

The 10 are Chaucer, Hinde House, Parkwood High, Yewlands, Firth Park, Abbeydale Grange, City, Myers Grove and the two City Academies, Park and Springs.

City education chiefs have been summoned to London along with colleagues from Barnsley, Doncaster and Rotherham to discuss options on how to boost results.

Parkwood High head Chris Mallaband said he was pleased the Government was keen to give schools like his the support they needed.

Parkwood's most recent pass rate was 19 per cent - a big improvement on a decade ago when the previous Herries Secondary had a pass rate of just four per cent.

Currently it is exploring the option of becoming a City Academy, with plans being drawn up.

"Schools minister Ed Balls admits a third of the 638 schools nationally below the benchmark are making good progress," Mr Mallaband said.

"Being a headteacher is increasingly like being a football manager - you have a limited lifespan in which you do as much as you can to improve standards.

"But at Parkwood we are not looking to simplistic answers or a quick fix - we want our students to be fully literate and numerate, not taking easier subjects."

Authorities are coming under pressure from Govern-ment to use radical solutions to improve underperforming schools over the next five years, such as pressing them to become academies or trusts.

Paul Makin, acting executive director of Sheffield Council's children's and young people's services, admitted there were some schools in the city which faced particular challenges.

"They need to work very hard to make sure that all their students have the support they need to reach their full potential," he said.

"We are committed to working with these schools to help them make progress."


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