Ofsted has called for a regional version of the City Challenge programme to help tackle underachievement by an “invisible minority” of disadvantaged pupils.
However, the recommendation has frustrated teachers who say that huge funding differences between rural and city schools do nothing to help the situation, and point out that the Challenge programme has been axed by the government.
The chief inspector, Sir Michael Wilshaw, said this minority of poorer children who attend good and outstanding schools in rural, market and seaside towns are being let behind academically.
He added that while big strides had been made in the inner city areas of London, Birmingham, Manchester and Liverpool, underachievement had moved to the leafy suburbs and more affluent areas.
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