Public service agreement targets

Public service agreements are high-level national targets set by government for public services. Read on to learn more about the PSA framework and the current targets for each key stage.

National targets

'The PSA framework is central to the Government's strategy for delivering high quality public services. PSAs set out the key priorities for Government, focusing on the outcomes that really matter to the public. They send a clear message to the public about what they can expect the Government to deliver, whilst focusing departments on delivering results'.

PSA White Paper, 2004

Floor targets set a minimum standard and aim to:

• help reduce the gap between the poorest areas and the rest of the country;
• show what the priorities should be at a local level;
• make sure that where public services are failing, they get better.

Setting floor targets aims to provide a minimum level of standards for all, because performance is judged in the areas of need, rather than on the national average.

Key Stage 2

• 85% of 11 year olds to achieve level 4 or above in English and mathematics by 2006, with this level of performance sustained to 2008.

Key Stage 3

• 85% of 14 year olds to achieve at least level 5 in English, mathematics and ICT, with 80% achieving level 5 in science by 2007, with this level of performance sustained to 2008.
• In all schools at least 50% of pupils achieve level 5 or above in English, mathematics and science by 2008.

Key Stage 4

• 60% of pupils to achieve five or more A*–C GCSEs or equivalent by 2008
• In all schools at least 20% of pupils will achieve five or more A*–C GCSEs or equivalent by 2004, 25% by 2006 and 30% by 2008.