Tackling “Stuck Schools”: What the Rise Programme Means

The Rise programme is the Department for Education’s latest initiative to address systemic challenges in schools that have struggled to improve over time

CREDIT: This is an edited version of an article that originally appeared in The Guardian

Aimed at supporting so-called “stuck schools,” the scheme combines targeted funding with guidance to drive lasting change in leadership, teaching and community engagement. Its ambition is not simply to raise test scores but to tackle the deeper structural issues that hold back progress. The approach builds on the proven success of earlier initiatives such as the London Challenge. By learning from what worked before, Rise seeks to offer struggling schools a pathway to sustainable improvement.

Rise Programme Expansion

Education secretary Bridget Phillipson has confirmed that the DfE will double the number of schools supported by its Regional Improvement for Standards and Excellence (Rise) programme. The scheme targets “stuck schools” – those with repeated poor Ofsted outcomes – and provides them with expert support and up to £200,000 over two years.

Building on the London Challenge

The Rise initiative draws inspiration from the London Challenge (2003–2010), a reform programme widely credited with transforming the capital’s schools. The strategy focused on using data to identify underperforming schools, driving change through stronger leadership and cultural renewal and encouraging collaboration with parents and communities. By 2010, London had a higher proportion of schools rated “good” or “outstanding” by Ofsted than any other region in England. The key takeaway: that systemic improvement depends not only on effective teaching but also on robust leadership, active stakeholder engagement and the strategic use of resources.

Addressing Regional Inequalities

Phillipson emphasised that the new improvement model would focus on regions with the greatest educational disadvantage, particularly the north-east of England, where outcomes continue to lag behind London. Recent data illustrates the gap:

• 32% of A-level entries in London achieved A* or A grades this year
• Fewer than 23% of entries in the north-east reached the same standard
• Young people in the north-east are also less likely to take A-levels compared with peers in London and the south-east

The expansion of the Rise programme marks a significant shift in the DfE’s approach to tackling entrenched underperformance. Drawing lessons from the London Challenge, the government is placing emphasis on leadership, collaboration and targeted funding.

Looking ahead, the expansion of the Rise programme is likely to bring sharper focus on regions facing persistent educational disadvantage, with more schools receiving tailored support to break cycles of underperformance. The initiative also has the potential to drive systemic change beyond individual regions, helping to close long-standing attainment gaps and raise standards nationwide. This is a chance to draw on the lessons of the London Challenge to understand how meaningful, large-scale improvement can be achieved.