SCHOOL Standards Minister Estelle Morris was in Leigh for Monday's launch of an education action plan aimed at boosting achievements and opportunities.
Leigh Education Action Zone, one of the first 25 in the country, is targeted at upping exam and test results to, or above, the national average by the year 2000.
Director of Education Bob Clark, chief adviser to the EAZ's Action Forum, said: "The Minister's visit gives the stamp of approval to the EAZ's proposals.
"We are very proud of this.
"As soon as we knew that £750,000 funding each year for three years, possibly five, was being made available we committed ourselves to turning that money in to measurable improvements.
"Exclusions from school will be reduced, and the number of pupils leaving school with qualifications and finding jobs will increase by five per cent more than the average for the borough.
"Leigh EAZ will not only transform educational opportunities and attainments but will be the catalyst to transform the whole area."
The Education Action Zone covers schools in Atherton, Bickershaw, Hindley Green and Hindley as well as Leigh and some of the pupils are pictured with the Minister. 74/154/15
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