Disadvantaged children let down by ‘coasting’ schools, says RSA

5 Dec 11
Children from disadvantaged backgrounds are over-represented in ‘coasting’ schools that fail to improve, according to the Royal Society of Arts.

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.

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