Ofsted report praises those in education jobs in deprived areas

The work of those in teaching jobs in deprived areas has been praised by Ofsted after the latest round of inspections.

Eleven per cent of educational institutions visited in the inspections were considered to have achieved the top grade, with this figure matched in areas of deprivation.

Nationwide, 42 per cent of schools were classed as good, with 38 per cent graded as satisfactory.

Despite a new inspection process which concentrated on visiting failing schools more frequently, only nine per cent of the institutions visited were placed in the bottom two levels of given notice to improve or requiring special attention.

Anne Pontifex, headteacher of St John Bosco school, Croxteth, Merseyside, said: "The new self evaluation form placed us in an excellent position to prepare for our inspection, giving both us and the Ofsted team a very clear picture of the college."

The Association of Teachers and Lecturers warned that the concentration on visiting schools which performed badly could lead to a narrowing of the curriculum.

Posted by Hariet McGowan

Published On 17/06/2010