Too many of region’s schools ranked as mediocre

Four in ten secondaries in Yorkshire were found to be just “satisfactory” by the education watchdog at their last inspection – higher than any other region in England – according to a think-tank which warns that some pupils are being let down by a system which has ignored coasting schools.

The report published today warns that standards of teaching and learning in “satisfactory” schools can be inconsistent and it has called for the Ofsted category to be renamed to put pressure on these schools to improve.

Bradford, Hull and North East Lincolnshire were among only seven education authorities across the country where 60 per cent or more of secondary schools were rated satisfactory by inspectors.

Currently the watchdog can place a school into four categories: Outstanding, good, satisfactory or inadequate.

The RSA (Royal Society for the Encouragement of Arts, Manufactures and Commerce) report recommends that the Ofsted category satisfactory be replaced with “performing inconsistently”.

It also says headteachers of inconsistent schools should deliver a plan to Ofsted outlining how areas of weakness will be addressed.

The RSA warns that schools which perform “adequately” have been ignored by politicians who focus on championing outstanding schools and tackling those that are failing.

It also says that pupils from poorer backgrounds are more likely to attend schools that only deliver “satisfactory” education while more affluent children are more likely to go to good or outstanding providers.

Schools which achieve only satisfactory ratings from Ofsted are set to be the target of the next Government drive to improve standards.

Last month David Cameron said schools which are “content to muddle through” could be named and shamed in league tables while Ofsted’s chief inspector, Miriam Rosen, said it was of “great concern” that so many schools remained at the satisfactory grade over more than one inspection.

The Prime Minister indicated the Government would crack down on coasting schools in middle class areas.

However the RSA report warns that it is schools serving poorer communities which “are more likely to coast, remaining stubbornly satisfactory.”

RSA’s report analysed Ofsted figures and a sample of inspection reports from schools which had remained in the satisfactory category for more than one inspection.

It found 50 per cent of satisfactory schools remained satisfactory at their next inspection and eight per cent of them worsened to become failing schools – classed as inadequate by Ofsted.

While 52 per cent of satisfactory schools serving affluent pupils improved, this was only true of 36 per cent of the schools in more disadvantaged communities.

The RSA’s director of education, Prof Becky Francis, 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 report suggests that first class graduates be given bursaries to undertake teacher training and that the Government’s pupil premium, awarded to schools for every pupil they have on free school meals, should be spent on bolstering teacher quality.