Kelly talks tough on failing schools

Up to 250 schools which have failed inspections will be told today they have a year to improve or face closure. The move will be spelt out in a speech by the Education Secretary, Ruth Kelly, her first of the new school year. She will tell an audience of local government officials in London: "We must not allow our children in our weakest schools to suffer too long before we intervene and begin turning things round. Being [declared to be failing] for more than a year must be a thing of the past."