Disadvantaged children let down by ‘coasting’ schools, says RSA
By Vivienne Russell | 5 December 2011
Children from
disadvantaged backgrounds are over-represented in ‘coasting’ schools that fail
to improve, according to the Royal Society of Arts.
The RSA analysis
of Ofsted data showed that 52% of ‘satisfactory’ schools serving mainly affluent
pupils improved between inspections compared with only 36% of schools serving mainly
disadvantaged children.
Certain local
authorities also had higher numbers of ‘satisfactory’ schools, the RSA found.
North Lincolnshire, Blackpool, Peterborough, Merton, Bradford and Kingston upon
Hull all have 60% or more.
These
‘coasting’ schools have been the subject of some concern recently, with Prime
Minister David Cameron warning of a ‘shocking gap’ between the best and worst
schools. Ofsted’s own annual report, published last month, also
drew attention to the number stuck with ‘satisfactory’ ratings and urged them
to improve.
Becky
Francis, director of education at the RSA, said: ‘Given the larger proportion
of “satisfactory” schools compared to failing schools, they are having a more
widespread impact on outcomes for disadvantaged children than are failing
schools. It’s really urgent that this issue be addressed.’
The
RSA report suggests that first-class graduates should be given bursaries to
train as teachers and that the pupil premium should be spent on boosting
teacher quality.
Other
recommendations include requiring head teachers of satisfactory schools to
report to Ofsted on the actions they intend to take to improve, while schools
rated satisfactory more than twice in a row should be treated in the same way
as an inadequate school and given notice to improve.
