PUPILS will be urged to attain higher education standards in Darlington as part of attainment proposals.

In the next two years, Darlington Borough Council will aim for 80 per cent of children at Key Stage Two to reach level four or above in English tests.

The following year, the target is for 85 per cent to achieve that level.

Last year, 74.2 per cent of pupils achieved level four or above, compared with 72 per cent in 1999 and 66 per cent in 1998.

A report by Geoff Pennington, the council's director of education, said that "a significant improvement is required to meet the targets" in coming years.

The report said: "The authority has a new literary consultant, who is already making considerable progress in working with schools to reach those demanding future targets."

Standards in mathematics is also on the agenda for the council.

The targets for the percentage of pupils reaching level four at Key State Two in mathematics are 78 per cent for this year and 80 per cent for next year.

Mr Pennington said: "These figures have been increased from the previous year's figures because of the continuing improvement in the performance in this area."

At GCSE level, the council hopes that this year 50 per cent of pupils in Darlington will be gaining five or more grades at A to C. Last year, 45.1 per cent of pupils received those grades, compared with 42.9 per cent in 1999 and 37.1 per cent in 1998.

The council also hopes to reduce the numbers of children permanently excluded from school and to improve attendance levels.

The education plan will be considered by the council at a meeting tomorrow night.