Minister's vow on failing schools as he praises successful Walsall College

But Skills and Enterprise Minister Matthew Hancock insisted Walsall schools can improve 'with the right leadership and management' – and held up Walsall College as a 'shining example'.

Mr Hancock was visiting the college to mark the first anniversary of its job shop, which helps people find apprenticeships and work. He spoke to staff and some of the more than 600 apprentices that have found full-time work in the last 12 months – but also addressed the problems faced by schools across the borough.

Seven schools have been rated inadequate and been placed in special measures and Mr Hancock said the Government 'holds no truck with poor quality provision in schools and colleges'.

He said: "While we celebrate outstanding education like I have seen at Walsall College, we are also taking tough action where schools fail their pupils."

But he added: "I'm certain, from what's happened elsewhere in the country, that with strength of leadership and high expectations for all standards, and with a clear plan, that any education area can turn itself around.

"Even in the toughest parts of London that had some of the worst standards of education, it has been turned around, and they now have some of the best. The same can happen in Walsall."

The visit came just hours after Mr Hancock had unveiled new legislation requiring primary and secondary schools to work with colleges and businesses to help pupils' career prospects. He said he wants teachers to focus less on getting teenagers into university – and instead offer them apprenticeships as a realistic alternative.

He said the college's job shop was the kind of initiative the Government wanted to see developed across the country.

Since its launch, 642 apprentices have found jobs and nearly 300 jobseekers have been given training to get them ready for work.

Mr Hancock said: "The college is already in line with the new guidance which is designed to be challenging and spread best practice. There's no doubt that many schools and colleges can learn a lot from the college in terms of raising students' aspirations both to achieve in their exams and to make the most of their potential."

The college's assistant principal for commercial development, James Norris, said: "We were honoured to meet Mr Hancock and tell him about the hundreds of people, many of them students, we are helping to find jobs and apprenticeships through our growing business partnerships.

"It has been an incredibly successful first 12 months. He agrees the job shop is really important in adding value to the local economy, as well as giving people aspirations to find exciting new careers."