This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/int/news/-/news/education-15829233
The article has changed 5 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Version 3 | Version 4 |
---|---|
Ofsted wants more ambition from 'coasting schools' | Ofsted wants more ambition from 'coasting schools' |
(about 6 hours later) | |
There are too many lacklustre schools in England which are not pushing children to reach their potential, says the annual report from Ofsted. | There are too many lacklustre schools in England which are not pushing children to reach their potential, says the annual report from Ofsted. |
The education watchdog's report says too many schools are failing to rise above the "satisfactory" grade. | The education watchdog's report says too many schools are failing to rise above the "satisfactory" grade. |
There are also concerns about teaching quality, which was no better than satisfactory in 41% of schools. | There are also concerns about teaching quality, which was no better than satisfactory in 41% of schools. |
Ofsted's chief inspector Miriam Rosen said it was of "great concern" that so many schools remained at this grade. | Ofsted's chief inspector Miriam Rosen said it was of "great concern" that so many schools remained at this grade. |
"Ensuring that there is real improvement must be a matter of urgency for these organisations," she said. | "Ensuring that there is real improvement must be a matter of urgency for these organisations," she said. |
Schools Minister Nick Gibb said: "There are still far too many underperforming schools making painfully slow improvements. | Schools Minister Nick Gibb said: "There are still far too many underperforming schools making painfully slow improvements. |
"It is worrying that Ofsted finds that 800 schools are stuck steadfastly at a satisfactory rating in inspection after inspection." | "It is worrying that Ofsted finds that 800 schools are stuck steadfastly at a satisfactory rating in inspection after inspection." |
Deprived areas | Deprived areas |
But head teachers cautioned that Ofsted should remain independent, rather than reflecting government priorities. | |
Brian Lightman, leader of the ASCL head teachers' union, also rejected the criticisms of schools in poorer areas. | |
"I take issue with the implication that pupils in schools serving deprived areas are being let down. Sweeping generalities like this are unhelpful and untrue," he said. | |
The report warned that schools serving the most deprived pupils were disproportionately likely to be underperforming. | |
The fifth of schools in the poorest areas were four times as likely to have been assessed as "inadequate" by inspectors, compared with schools in wealthier areas. | The fifth of schools in the poorest areas were four times as likely to have been assessed as "inadequate" by inspectors, compared with schools in wealthier areas. |
However the report also highlighted that 85 schools in the most deprived areas had received an "outstanding" grade. | However the report also highlighted that 85 schools in the most deprived areas had received an "outstanding" grade. |
The education watchdog's report is the latest warning about the number of "coasting" schools, often in prosperous areas, where schools might achieve respectable results, but fail to stretch pupils. | The education watchdog's report is the latest warning about the number of "coasting" schools, often in prosperous areas, where schools might achieve respectable results, but fail to stretch pupils. |
The report says that 800 schools - 14% - have been judged as "satisfactory" in two successive inspections. | The report says that 800 schools - 14% - have been judged as "satisfactory" in two successive inspections. |
It suggests that when schools are judged as inadequate, it can often trigger rapid improvement, while satisfactory schools might stay at this level, lacking the ambition to rise higher. | It suggests that when schools are judged as inadequate, it can often trigger rapid improvement, while satisfactory schools might stay at this level, lacking the ambition to rise higher. |
"It's a real concern that some schools with very able intakes are merely coasting instead of making sure students achieve their full potential," said the schools minister. | "It's a real concern that some schools with very able intakes are merely coasting instead of making sure students achieve their full potential," said the schools minister. |
This "satisfactory" grade is above the point at which intervention is required, but below the higher grades of "good" and "outstanding". | This "satisfactory" grade is above the point at which intervention is required, but below the higher grades of "good" and "outstanding". |
Ofsted says that 20% of schools are outstanding, 50% are good, 28% are satisfactory and 2% are inadequate. | Ofsted says that 20% of schools are outstanding, 50% are good, 28% are satisfactory and 2% are inadequate. |
'Not good quality' | 'Not good quality' |
The report raises concerns about the variability of teaching standards. | The report raises concerns about the variability of teaching standards. |
"Good teaching is absolutely essential to the provision of a good education and quite simply too much of what our inspectors saw this year was not good quality," said Ms Rosen. | "Good teaching is absolutely essential to the provision of a good education and quite simply too much of what our inspectors saw this year was not good quality," said Ms Rosen. |
The reports says where teaching is no better than satisfactory, activities are insufficiently challenging and not well matched to the needs of pupils. | The reports says where teaching is no better than satisfactory, activities are insufficiently challenging and not well matched to the needs of pupils. |
Inspectors found schools where there was "over-use of worksheets and an over-reliance on a narrow range of textbooks". | Inspectors found schools where there was "over-use of worksheets and an over-reliance on a narrow range of textbooks". |
Teaching was not rated as outstanding in any college inspected this year - and in more than two in five schools it was no better than satisfactory. | Teaching was not rated as outstanding in any college inspected this year - and in more than two in five schools it was no better than satisfactory. |
In future years, under changes in the inspection process, outstanding schools will no longer receive routine inspections - and more attention will be focused on schools rated as satisfactory and inadequate. | In future years, under changes in the inspection process, outstanding schools will no longer receive routine inspections - and more attention will be focused on schools rated as satisfactory and inadequate. |
However this year's report found that 40% of the schools inspected which had previously been rated as outstanding had declined. | However this year's report found that 40% of the schools inspected which had previously been rated as outstanding had declined. |
Vulnerable children | Vulnerable children |
Reflecting the watchdog's responsibility for inspecting children's social care services, the annual report raises concerns about the most vulnerable children. | Reflecting the watchdog's responsibility for inspecting children's social care services, the annual report raises concerns about the most vulnerable children. |
It says nearly one in five local authorities (nine out of 47) inspected this year were inadequate, "meaning children were at risk". | It says nearly one in five local authorities (nine out of 47) inspected this year were inadequate, "meaning children were at risk". |
None were considered to be outstanding. | None were considered to be outstanding. |
Ms Rosen said: "It is particularly worrying to reflect on the numbers of local authorities that are providing inadequate safeguarding services for children. | Ms Rosen said: "It is particularly worrying to reflect on the numbers of local authorities that are providing inadequate safeguarding services for children. |
"Given that they are providing care for the most vulnerable children of all, this is not good enough." | "Given that they are providing care for the most vulnerable children of all, this is not good enough." |
The new chief inspector for Ofsted - Sir Michael Wilshaw - will take up his post in January. Sir Michael has been head of Mossbourne Academy in east London. | The new chief inspector for Ofsted - Sir Michael Wilshaw - will take up his post in January. Sir Michael has been head of Mossbourne Academy in east London. |