20 September 2002
In a review of LEA inspections from 1996 to 2001, Ofsted reveals that the quality of schools is more associated with social and economic factors than the support of LEAs. Standards were found to be higher in schools in more advantaged areas.
The report also notes that as LEAs have 'steadily diminishing control over the use of educational funds', their influence on standards is all the more unlikely.
The National Union of Schoolmasters/Union of Women Teachers said it did not need a detailed study to 'elicit this simple fact'. General secretary Eamonn O'Kane said: 'This blindingly obvious conclusion is one that teachers have been pointing to for years.'
The report also found that LEA support to schools had improved but the quality of authorities still varied widely. Of the 150 LEAs inspected, only 29 gave good or very good support to schools, 80 were satisfactory and 41 unsatisfactory.
Poor performers had 'serious weaknesses' in long-term planning, their elected members were often floundering and senior officers lacked strategic ability.
The inspector identified funding as an impediment to LEA improvement, describing the current system as 'very confused and illogical'.
PFsep2002
