FOUR schools in York which have been identified as under-performing in Government tests will be targeted with a package of measures.

And eight out of the 11 secondary schools will undertake measures to reduce truancy rates.

Burnholme Community College, Canon Lee, Lowfield and Oaklands schools have been identified as under-performing or low attaining at Key Stage Three.

Analysis of performance of children in Years Eight and Ten at the schools found attainment had been below the local education authority (LEA) and national levels during the past three years.

The schools have been asked to submit plans to improve standards at Key Stage Three, and it is hoped this will be extended in the future.

Measures include identifying under-performing pupils, tracking the performance of these pupils, and providing tutors to help individual pupils with specific learning problems.

The LEA is also targeting truancy, and has asked each of the 11 secondary schools in the city to submit an action plan.

Eight of the schools which returned action plans will use strategies such as the use of reward schemes, pupil mentoring and text messaging to parents.

City of York Council's assistant director of education, Jenny Vickers, said: "All actions have some track record of success, both locally and nationally.

"The schemes balance the use of enhanced monitoring with the development of rewards and incentives."

The improvements are part of the Government-run Public Sector Agreement scheme, which provides funding to raise standards.

A report will be published in November to show the amount of progress made. The measures will be discussed at a meeting of the executive for education at the Guildhall, on Tuesday at 5pm.

Updated: 09:42 Thursday, April 24, 2003