FIFTEEN schools in Gwent are to be part of a Welsh Government programme to boost standards.

The £20 million programme targets schools that are underperforming and where it is believed they could be doing better, and could improve quickly.

Each school will get a package of support that will be individually tailored under the Pathways to Success Schools scheme.

Some 40 secondary school from across Wales are taking part, selected using a range of different criteria including free school meal eligibility and exam results.

Advisors with expertise in the field of education will help to implement the programme from September onwards.

Gwent’s schools are:

In Blaenau Gwent: Abertillery Comprehensive, Ebbw Fawr Learning Community, Tredegar Comprehensive School

In Caerphilly: Bedwas High School, Blackwood Comprehensive School, Heolddu Comprehensive School, St Cenydd School, St Martin's School

In Newport: Llanwern High School, Lliswerry High School, St Julian's School

In Torfaen: Abersychan Comprehensive, Fairwater High School, Llantarnam School, West Monmouth School

The plan will also work with each school’s feeder primaries.

Huw Lewis, Welsh education minister, launching the scheme, said: “I’ve made no secret of my desire for a relentless focus on improving the quality of teaching and learning here in Wales.

“These schools have been chosen as we believe they have the potential to make swift and lasting improvements which will benefit learners in the short term and long into the future.”

The scheme is all part of Schools Challenge Cymru, the Welsh Government’s improvement programme for schools operating in “challenging circumstances”.

Similar programmes have been seen in London and Manchester.

It’s appointed champion is Professor Mel Ainscow, who was chief advisor to the Greater Manchester Challenge between 2007 and 2011.