Ofsted sends inspectors into Norfolk and Isle of Wight

7 Jun 13
Norfolk and the Isle of Wight are the first two local authorities to be visited by Ofsted inspectors under the watchdog’s new school improvement programme.

Teams of inspectors will today begin examining why the councils have a disproportionate number of under-performing schools. The inspections will last five days and take place under a framework that came into force last month.

Ofsted head Sir Michael Wilshaw has challenged councils to raise school standards. School inspections have revealed particularly acute problems in Norfolk and the Isle of Wight. More than a third of schoolchildren on the Isle of Wight go to a school that is not yet rated ‘good’, while Norfolk is ranked in the bottom five of authorities in terms of schools judged to be ‘inadequate’ or ‘requiring improvement’.

Wilshaw said: ‘The education landscape has changed but I firmly believe local authorities still have a duty to ensure that schools provide the best education for every child in their area.

‘The best local authorities understand the changing context, but are determined to play a part within it. However, there are inconsistencies across the country and not all authorities are taking up their role to act as a champion for educational excellence.

‘I am determined that Ofsted uses its unique position to close the inequality gap in education so that all children have access to a good school no matter where they live.’

Ofsted has no plans to inspect all local authorities, only those where there are particular concerns about performance or where directed to do so by the secretary of state. Local authorities receive five days notice ahead of the inspection.

Spacer

CIPFA logo

PF Jobsite logo

Did you enjoy this article?

AddToAny

Top