Hundreds of schools face blacklisting

Up to 5,300 schools with below average test results could be failed by Ofsted unless they show improvement, it has been revealed. It will mean they are placed in the special measures category or given a notice to improve. The only exceptions will be where they are "improving steadily and closing the gap with the national average for all pupils". The tougher inspection regime is being piloted this term in 150 schools and will be introduced across the country in January. An inspectors' guide to the watchdog's latest framework, which has been seen by The Times Educational Supplement, shows it will pay more attention to pupil attainment and levels of progress. Schools could be hit if their results for a particular category of pupil are below average and not enough improvement is being made. The pressure on schools with below average scores appears to go beyond those seen as "coasting", and takes in any that are not improving faster than the national rate. Of the state primaries with Sats results last year, 3,883 (39 per cent) were below the national average on the percentage of pupils achieving level four in English and maths. And 1,486 state secondaries (48.6 per cent) were below average on the main five A* to C GCSE measure, including English and maths. The guidance for inspectors shows that any of these schools not deemed to be "closing the gap" will be given an "inadequate" grade for achievement, which leads to an overall "inadequate" rating. Schools that are judged "inadequate" are given either a notice to improve where specific changes that have to be made or put in special measures, which can lead to the head teacher or governing body being replaced and even closure. The document states a condition of getting a "satisfactory" grade or above in achievement is that where attainment is below average overall, or below average for any group, it is improving steadily and therefore closing the gap with the national average for all pupils. William Parker School in Daventry, Northamptonshire, meets the GCSE target, but will fail its Ofsted inspection next year under the guidelines, unless it significantly improves its results this summer. From / Gulf News