School Standards Minister David Miliband is in the North-East today to talk to teachers about a Government five-year strategy for children and learners.

Mr Miliband said: "Our future plans for education build on our achievements in the North-East.

"Pupils from all across the region are getting better exam results. There have been big real-term increases in spending on books, equipment and school buildings.

"There is a nursery place for every three and four-year- old who wants it and more young people are going on to higher education.

"We aren't forgetting those who maybe haven't succeeded in the past.

"We now want to step up the pace of change to ensure that every learner, whatever their age or stage, receives a personalised education and that those who deliver education and children's services receive the support they need."

Angela Darnell, headteacher at Egglescliffe School, Teesside, which Mr Milliband will visit, said: "The most important element in the five-year strategy is the Government's commitment to increasing spending on education during this time.

"Many schools in deprived areas are achieving good results, but this commitment will help standards to continue to rise."

The Government said that in future, every pupil would have an education tailored to individual needs, taught by teachers who were given professional support to develop their subject expertise and who were put back in control on discipline.