The academic performance of children in the poorest schools has improved two and a half times faster than children in other schools, GCSE/GNVQ results have revealed.

Provisional GCSE statistics for England published last week showed the percentage of all pupils achieving good grades at GCSE has risen. This year 52.6 per cent of pupils gained five or more grades A*-C or their GNVQ equivalents - a rise of 1 per cent. The number of pupils achieving good grades in schools in challenging circumstances rose by 2 per cent compared with 0.8 per cent for schools in better-off areas.

The overall rise in results, however, falls short of government targets which are for an average rise of 2 percentage points a year from 2002 to 2006.

Education minister Ivan Lewis said many schools in challenging circumstances had made impressive strides. "For the second year running the poorest schools have improved significantly faster than the rest. They are narrowing the gap."

In December 2000 the government introduced a scheme to support schools in challenging circumstances beginning with 70 institutions. In April 2001 the scheme was extended to all schools where 25 per cent or fewer pupils achieved five GCSEs at A*-C.

Lewis welcomed the improvements but added "more needs to be done. We must ensure that all children fulfil their potential".

- The Statistical First Release 29/2003 is available at www.dfes.gov.uk