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Outstanding schools to be re-examined 'Outstanding' schools to be re-examined
(about 1 hour later)
By Angela Harrison Education correspondent, BBC News A quarter of schools rated "outstanding" are to be re-examined because their teaching did not reach the highest standard, says the new chief inspector of schools in England.
A quarter of schools rated outstanding are to be re-examined because their teaching did not reach the highest standard, the new chief inspector of schools in England is to reveal. Schools will only be "outstanding" if their teaching is, Sir Michael Wilshaw confirmed.
Schools will only be "outstanding" if their teaching is, Sir Michael Wilshaw will say.
A new framework for Ofsted inspections came in last month which ended regular inspections for outstanding schools.A new framework for Ofsted inspections came in last month which ended regular inspections for outstanding schools.
Head teachers have warned "constant castigation" was damaging morale.Head teachers have warned "constant castigation" was damaging morale.
In a speech at a London school on Thursday, Sir Michael will formally set out other changes he plans to make - including "no-notice" inspections. Later Sir Michael will formally set out other changes he plans to make - including "no-notice" inspections.
At the moment, most schools get a few days' notice that inspectors are coming, but that is due to change from the autumn. At the moment, most schools get a few days' notice inspectors are coming, but that is due to change from the autumn.
The new framework also slimmed down the areas on which schools are measured from 27 to four categories.The new framework also slimmed down the areas on which schools are measured from 27 to four categories.
Another change proposed is the scrapping of the "satisfactory" label - which will be replaced with "requires improvement".Another change proposed is the scrapping of the "satisfactory" label - which will be replaced with "requires improvement".
But now the new chief inspector is suggesting schools which have the top-rating overall but did not score top marks for teaching will face inspections. Schools 'coasting'
Sir Michael told BBC Radio 4's Today programme "satisfactory" was no longer sufficient and added: "All parents want their children to go to good schools. If a school is not good it will be placed in a category requiring improvement. If it does not improve it will end up in special measures."
He said 6,000 schools were currently designated as "satisfactory" and he said too many of these schools were "coasting".
Clare Bradford, head teacher at Henbury School, a comprehensive in Bristol, which was recently judged as "satisfactory" told Today: "I completely agree with Sir Michael that every school should have aspirations to be at least good or outstanding but it's very difficult for schools, particularly in challenging circumstances."
She pointed out that her own school had seen the number of children with A* to C grades rise from 13% to 46% but yet was still judged only as "satisfactory", which she said was "quite galling".
Sir Michael responded by pointing out there were currently 700 schools "in challenging circumstances" which were graded as "outstanding".
The new chief inspector is suggesting schools which have the top-rating overall but did not score top marks for teaching will face inspections.
'What really matters''What really matters'
Last September, the Education Secretary Michael Gove said it was a "worry" to him that "so many schools" were judged as outstanding when they had not achieved an outstanding rating in teaching and learning. Last September the Education Secretary Michael Gove said it was a "worry" to him that "so many schools" were judged as outstanding when they had not achieved an outstanding rating in teaching and learning.
He said he would ask the new chief inspector to look at this issue and report back to him with recommendations.He said he would ask the new chief inspector to look at this issue and report back to him with recommendations.
Sir Michael has told the BBC the new inspection framework will "focus on what really matters - the quality of teaching".Sir Michael has told the BBC the new inspection framework will "focus on what really matters - the quality of teaching".
"I don't see how you achieve outstanding status unless the quality of teaching is also outstanding," he said."I don't see how you achieve outstanding status unless the quality of teaching is also outstanding," he said.
"That is something we will need to review in the next weeks and months.""That is something we will need to review in the next weeks and months."
He said he wanted all schools to be good schools and none to be classed as "satisfactory or below".He said he wanted all schools to be good schools and none to be classed as "satisfactory or below".
"This is about a step change. We want to make sure we move things further forward for this nation and that the gap between best and worst and richest and poorest closes. These have not closed as much as they should have.""This is about a step change. We want to make sure we move things further forward for this nation and that the gap between best and worst and richest and poorest closes. These have not closed as much as they should have."
Head teachers have previously said that to be graded outstanding is very demanding and that the achievement should not be devalued.Head teachers have previously said that to be graded outstanding is very demanding and that the achievement should not be devalued.
Earlier this week the National Association of Head Teachers (NAHT) said that "constant castigation" of the profession was damaging morale and would not lead to the "ultimate goal" of providing the best quality education possible for all pupils.Earlier this week the National Association of Head Teachers (NAHT) said that "constant castigation" of the profession was damaging morale and would not lead to the "ultimate goal" of providing the best quality education possible for all pupils.
Russell Hobby, general secretary of the NAHT, said: "This combination of insult and injury threatens to paralyse our education system over the next few years, through a shortage of talented recruits - bringing to a halt the real gains of the last decade".Russell Hobby, general secretary of the NAHT, said: "This combination of insult and injury threatens to paralyse our education system over the next few years, through a shortage of talented recruits - bringing to a halt the real gains of the last decade".