Ofsted inspection outcomes for the latest quarter – October to December 2012 – show that of the 21,362 maintained schools, 21 per cent are “outstanding” and 53 per cent “good”.
The figures show that while the number of outstanding schools has remained the same, there has been a four per cent increase in schools graded as good, year-on-year.
A total of 2,102 schools were inspected during the last quarter, of which 309 were secondaries. Results for these inspections show that 10 per cent of the secondaries were judged outstanding (31 schools), and 46 per cent were rated as good (143). Meanwhile 34 per cent were “requires improvement” (104) and 10 per cent “inadequate” (31).
Chief inspector Sir Michael Wilshaw praised the profession after the figures showed that 47 per cent of all schools inspected in the last quarter improved their overall effectiveness judgement – this is a total of 977 schools.
Sir Michael said that the shift from “satisfactory” to “requires improvement” as a category 3 rating had had a ”galvanising” effect.
He continued: “In deciding to raise the bar and by stating that ‘good’ is the only acceptable provision, I was convinced that schools would rise to the challenge. And that is what I believe is happening.
“I’m clear that scrapping the satisfactory judgement and replacing it with ‘requires improvement’ is injecting a sense of urgency in both schools and local authorities. Heads and governing boards now have a much greater focus on tackling the central issues of school improvement.”
Russell Hobby, general secretary of the National Association of Head Teachers, said: “Our congratulations go out to those schools which have done so well. Despite ever-changing goalposts, the profession persistently rises to the challenge for its pupils.
“We look forward to seeing recognition of these results reflected in the warmer tone of voice coming out of Ofsted and the Department for Education when they next raise the issue of school improvement.
“We should also point out that the performance in one year is actually the result of efforts each school puts in over the preceding seven years. Agencies should be wary of claiming too much credit for recent changes in criteria. It’s extended hard work in schools which produces these results.”