Improve exam results or face closure - that’s the government ultimatum issued to seven secondary schools in Medway.

The schools under threat are Medway Community College, New Brompton College, The Hundred of Hoo Comprehensive School, Greenacre School and The Robert Napier School.

Chapter and Temple in Strood are also on the list but Medway Council already plans to close both schools to make way for Medway’s first academy.

In all the government is targeting 638 schools across England, in which fewer than 30 per cent of pupils achieve at least five good GCSEs including English and maths.

A spokesman for Medway Council said: “We have plans in place to ensure that all schools meet the target of 30 per cent A* to C GCSE by 2011. We will be seeking all available resources from the government to help us do that.

“The proposed academies in Strood and Chatham are part of this programme of improvement.”