WORKING hard in class is coming back into fashion at one York school where the head teacher is setting high standards for his pupils.

Hugh Porter, head teacher at Joseph Rowntree School, is hoping to get the best out of his pupils by encouraging them to put in extra effort in order to achieve their potential.

He has set strict targets which pupils are expected to achieve across a range of subjects.

He has told parents in the school's newsletter: "Too many students underestimate what they are capable of and how they can really raised their game if they work hard.

"All want to be successful, but some expect it on a plate without putting in the required effort themselves.

"There is no substitute for a strong work ethic, but it seems to be unfashionable in the young."

The targets are being set based on the pupils' previous attainments at primary school and a national database of pupil achievements.

It means that teachers can more accurately chart how well each pupil should be doing in school and what grades they can realistically achieve.

Mr Porter said many schools locally and nationally were now setting similar targets and far from putting extra strain on pupils it encouraged them to work as hard as possible.

He told the Evening Press: "Schools have always set targets, the difference now is that it's become more sophisticated.

"It doesn't surprise the children particularly because primary schools have been doing something similar to this.

"In some subjects it will be about getting certain grades and in others it will be about overall performance.

"The message I give to children is that in this life, very often you get out what you put in.

"You have to expect to work hard in order to be successful."

Mr Porter said the new system, which started in the school last term, would ensure that all pupils were given the attention and set the goals they needed.

He said: "Schools often make provision for gifted children, and those that need extra help are given it.

"But we also have to be concerned about the ones in the middle. There are some children who work extremely hard all the time and for them the concern is that they take too much on - however they are definitely in the minority."

If pupils fail to achieve their targets, parents are informed and together with the teachers they will address any problems to ensure that the targets are met in the future.

Updated: 12:30 Friday, January 03, 2003