Creative role models inspire pupils

A scheme that brings creative writers, artists and environmental designers into schools has had a major impact in improving struggling pupils' standards in the three Rs, say inspectors.

A report by Ofsted, the education standards watch-dog, says the experience inspired the pupils to write about what they had learnt. It also brought down truancy levels and improved behaviour.

The report on creative partnership poses a major question about whether constant testing plus catch-up classes - as advocated by ministers - is the best way to improve performance. It was based on visits to 37 schools which have implemented the programme, backed by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport. It recommends that the scheme, which has now reached more than 2,500 schools, should be extended to allow more youngsters to benefit.

Last week headteachers' leaders acknowledged that the pressure to prepare pupils for national curriculum tests could be playing a part in increased truancy rates among primary school pupils.