Children are receiving a substandard education in a third of schools because of a “stubborn core” of poor teaching, according to Ofsted.

Source: The Telegraph >> Read Full Article

The watchdog insisted improvements had been made in the last year but too many lessons failed to “inspire, challenge and extend children”.

Despite 12 years of Labour, inspectors said a significant minority of schools and colleges in England remained “mediocre or worse” as pupils finish compulsory education lacking in basic skills. This severely undermined the chances many teenagers to get a job in the recession.

The comments – in Ofsted’s last annual report before the General Election – will be seen as a critical final judgement on the Government’s education record.

Christine Gilbert, the chief inspector, said primary schools often failed to teach the core subjects of English and mathematics properly, meaning almost a third started secondary education without a grounding in the basics.

The report warned of a lack of focus on literacy for the slowest pupils, limited opportunities for children to enrich their vocabulary, insufficient attention to “writing at length” and an inability for many schools to teach about problem-solving in maths.

In a hugely damaging blow, Miss Gilbert also said almost half of Labour’s academies – semi-independent state schools designed to drive up standards in inner-cities – were underperforming and there was a “continuing gap” between rich and poor pupils.

The comments came just 24 hours after Sir Stuart Rose, chairman of Marks and Spencer, said the education system was producing too many children who were “not fit for work”.

Echoing an earlier speech from Sir Terry Leahy, Tesco chief executive, he said: “They cannot do reading. They cannot do arithmetic. They cannot do writing.”

David Laws, the Liberal Democrat schools spokesman, said: “It is shocking that after more than 12 years of a Labour Government, nearly a third of schools are not providing a good education. This Government’s failure to drive up standards in all our schools will be one of its lasting legacies.”

Nick Gibb, the Conservative shadow schools minister, said: “There are still far too many children being let down by the quality of education on offer.

“The problem of literacy in primary schools is holding back thousands of pupils, especially those from poorer backgrounds, and sows the seeds of truancy and disruptive behaviour later on.”

The report was based on the inspection of nurseries, schools, colleges, local councils and work-based training between September 2008 and August this year.

It found 64 per cent of schools were… Continue Reading

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