Boris Johnson's Plans For Education
19 October 2012, 11:59 | Updated: 19 October 2012, 12:02
Boris Johnson has set out plans for a new London-wide body to drive up standards in schools.
The Mayor has announced plans to set up a dedicated unit at City Hall to secure new sites for free schools.
He doesn't have any legal powers in education but as schools in London get more freedom Mr Johnson says it's time for a city-wide approach to school places, raising standards and deepening learning.
The Mayor says he wants youngsters to be inspired to be the best they can be and wants to make London a world leader in education by 2020.
He is also planning the establishment of a new London Schools Excellence Fund, to promote teaching excellence and help tackle underperformance, particularly in literacy and numeracy, science, technology, engineering and maths.
His drive for a bigger say in education is being supported by Education Secretary Michael Gove who says he will work with him to improve performance and generate innovative practice.