We've got to get in to the (interjection) the vast majority of secondary schools in places like this city, we need to improve standards, we need to introduce rigor in to the exam system.

BBC: NEWS | Programmes | Politics Show | Jon Sopel interview

Yet a child in the last grade of primary only has at best a 75% chance of making the transition to lower secondary school in about 20 countries around the world, the overwhelming majority of which are in sub-Saharan Africa.

UNESCO: EDUCATION

The majority of exclusions are given to secondary school pupils - and these rose from 288, 040 in the school year 2003-04 to 363, 270 by the end of 2007.

BBC: Behaviour experts to help schools

Cumbria County Council said 13 primary schools and five secondary schools would be shut, although the majority hope to reopen on Tuesday.

BBC: Cumbria flood bridges facing safety checks

"The majority of the county borough's secondary schools already successfully operate cashless dining, an initiative which has been well received by both pupils and teaching staff at the schools, " said council spokesman Wynford Thomas.

BBC: Paying for lunch has gone hi-tech in seven Wrexham schools