School struggles as inspection regime gets tougher

Reporter: KAREN DOHERTY
Date online: 17 March 2010

ONE Oldham primary was classed as inadequate in the first four months of a tough new regime to weed out failing schools.

St Margaret’s, Hollinwood, received the lowest rating under the new-style inspections introduced by Ofsted in September.

The education watchdog says the regime is providing a greater challenge to schools by emphasising the overall achievement of pupils as well as the quality of teaching.

It claims the response from schools has been overwhelmingly positive, while fears that it would penalise those in deprived areas, such as parts of Oldham, have proved unfounded.

A total of eight of the borough’s schools were inspected between September 1 and December 21, with Delph Primary and Glodwick Infant and Nursery schools receiving the top grade of outstanding.

None were rated as good and five were classed as adequate: St Augustine’s and Kaskenmoor High schools along with St Martin’s, Alexandra and St Thomas’s, Werneth, primary schools.

In Greater Manchester, 13 schools were rated as outstanding, 45 as good, 38 as satisfactory and 18 as inadequate in the same period.

Ofsted says that it is impossible to compare the findings with previous figures as a greater proportion of weaker schools are being inspected.

Chief inspector of schools Christine Gilbert, said: “We introduced this new framework because we believe the upward trend in the quality of provision in recent years has masked wide variations.

“We wanted to concentrate more resources on the less effective schools, particularly those with pupils in danger of underachieving and offer clear recommendations for improvement.

“The new inspections have been designed to help schools improve so that children and young people get the best possible education. By focusing on weaker schools; introducing more classroom observation; giving more detailed recommendations and emphasising progress, the quality of teaching and learning and overall achievement of all pupils, Ofsted is helping raise standards and promote improvement for all groups.”