The Government has called for successful schools, businesses and charities to take on underperforming schools following the end of a formal consultation. Under the new system, the potential school providers will be able to apply for a charter mark, allowing them to turn fledgling schools around and potentially set them up as chains. Schools Secretary Ed Balls said: “We want the best possible schools and organisations to apply. We know that strong providers can bring about dramatic improvements in school standards, and we have seen this in the academies programme and in highly effective federations across the country.”