Thursday, November 27, 2008
Ofsted’s Annual Report Findings
The 2007/08 Annual Report of Her Majesty's Chief Inspector of Schools was published on 19th November.
The report covers all inspections made in the academic year 2007/8 in England and Wales by Ofsted and is the first since Ofsted was given a wider remit to cover Children's Services and social care as well as education and childcare.
Of the 45,000 inspections almost 2/3 of schools and 2/3 of childcare and Early Years Settings inspected were judged as good or outstanding, slightly higher than the previous year. The breakdown for schools by inspection grade reveals over 90% of all schools are satisfactory or above.
Primary: 13% outstanding, 50% good, 33% satisfactory, 4% inadequate
Secondary: 17% outstanding, 40% good, 34% satisfactory, 9% inadequate
Special schools: 26% outstanding, 54% good, 18% satisfactory, 2% inadequate
Pupil referral units: 7% outstanding, 55% good, 30%satisfactory, 7% inadequate
The report highlights the gap between good and inadequate in all areas Ofsted inspects leading to a significant minority of children being let down by inadequate provision. Highlighted for concern by the Chief Inspector of Schools, Christine Gilbert, is the disproportionate amount of inadequate provision being in areas of social deprivation. "There is a strong link across every sector between deprivation and poor quality provision...in short, if you are poor you are more likely to receive poor services and disadvantage compounds disadvantage."
The report points to the schools and services who are being successful, sometimes in the same areas as the inadequate ones and plans to publish a review of outstanding schools in challenging areas to support wider future improvement. It clearly identifies successful schools as ones which set themselves challenging expectations and plans for improvement concluding that "typically the provision that makes a difference is ambitious."
The government response to the Chief Inspector's Annual Report accepts the findings and argues that initiatives already underway such as the next focus of The National Challenge initiative being "coasting" schools which although not judged inadequate are not enabling their pupils to make enough progress considering their abilities when they join the school, are in line to address the concerns the report raises about discrepancies between good and bad schools.
Jim Knight also emphasised in his response on behalf of the government that Ofsted and the government are working together to achieve the raising of standards desired.
We are determined that every child, whatever their background, has the opportunities and the right support to achieve and succeed. Ofsted’s independent voice and close monitoring of progress is essential to help us to achieve this aim.”
To read Ofsted's annual report in full click here.
To read the government response in full click here.