Charles Clarke has pledged a radical revamp of the way London's schools are managed.

Poorly performing councils - particularly Islington, Hackney, Lambeth, Southwark and Haringey - face intensive scrutiny in a bid to push up standards.

The proposals include a scheme to help teachers who are unable to afford to buy a home. They will receive up to £90,000 from the government to help to pay their mortgages.

Forum Response: Association of Teachers and Lecturers

Gwen Evans, joint acting general secretary of the ATL, said: "Schools in London will be breathing sighs of relief that they may now be able to retain the kind of promising young teachers they have been losing to less expensive parts of the UK.

"But whatever happened to the idea of paying off student loans for the already loan-burdened young teachers? There is also the concern that ambitious young teachers will think twice about working in high risk areas, where schools may face closure."It's a pity that the same old brutalism is being touted to deal with some of the most deprived of the capital's boroughs. Closing schools and starting again is a recipe for just the sort of disruption that young people neither need nor deserve.

"The government has tried privatisation at great public expense with few visible benefits and they still seem to be pushing that same failed strategy. Many of today's moves are welcome but success is still a long way off."

Forum Response: National Union of Teachers

Doug McAvoy, general secretary of the NUT, said: "We are faced with two challenges: one from the man who understands education, Professor Tim Brighouse, and one from the man who doesn't, the prime minister.

"The prime minister offers an unrelenting focus on five education authorities which face some of the most difficult problems. Four of those authorities have had their services privatised and have been let down by those private companies.

"The prime minister sees the way forward as threats of closure of schools and sacking of teachers. This is guaranteed to make a difficult situation worse rather than overcoming the challenges schools in these areas face.

"Professor Brighouse, who understands education, what can be achieved and how to achieve it, looks to provide support for schools and teachers. He offers constructive help rather than simply throwing blame around.

"The prime minister would be better served learning from professor Brighouse and recognizing the problems faced by all schools, and particularly those in London, and seeking ways to overcome them that work rather than threats which do not.

"Professor Brighouse suggests help with mortgages and professional development as ways of achieving success. Such help should be available for all teachers and not restricted to the so-called cream. The most effective teachers need the support of others if their effectiveness is to be to the benefit of the youngsters in our schools. I image professor Brighouse is having to work within pre-determined financial constraints imposed by the prime minister.

"The prime minister has even failed to listen to the advice of one of the 'friendly' think tanks which advised against any extension of City Academies. For Mr Blair to see that as the way forward displays a daft level of thinking within government."