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Ofsted chair to visit Isle of Wight after apology for 'ghetto' remarks Ofsted chair to visit Isle of Wight after apology for 'ghetto' remarks
(17 days later)
The Ofsted chair David Hoare, who prompted an outcry when he described the Isle of Wight as a poor ghetto that suffers from inbreeding, has agreed to visit the island to learn more about the challenges it faces.The Ofsted chair David Hoare, who prompted an outcry when he described the Isle of Wight as a poor ghetto that suffers from inbreeding, has agreed to visit the island to learn more about the challenges it faces.
The former City banker acknowledged on Tuesday that some of his comments, made at a teachers’ conference, were offensive and unfounded, and he offered a full and unreserved apology to everyone on the Isle of Wight. The former City businessman acknowledged on Tuesday that some of his comments, made at a teachers’ conference, were offensive and unfounded, and he offered a full and unreserved apology to everyone on the Isle of Wight.
It is the second apology that the head of the schools watchdog has made since his comments became public last week. On this occasion, in a statement issued by the Isle of Wight council, he formally retracted his comments regarding crime, drug-use and unemployment on the island, describing them as “factually inaccurate”.It is the second apology that the head of the schools watchdog has made since his comments became public last week. On this occasion, in a statement issued by the Isle of Wight council, he formally retracted his comments regarding crime, drug-use and unemployment on the island, describing them as “factually inaccurate”.
He added: “The Isle of Wight is a wonderful part of the country, as is recognised not only by those who live there and move there to achieve a safe and rewarding quality of life for their families, but by the thousands of people who seek its benefits of tranquillity, beauty and many points of interest when holidaying there each year.”He added: “The Isle of Wight is a wonderful part of the country, as is recognised not only by those who live there and move there to achieve a safe and rewarding quality of life for their families, but by the thousands of people who seek its benefits of tranquillity, beauty and many points of interest when holidaying there each year.”
Hoare’s comments about the Isle of Wight, made at a Teach First conference in Leeds, were reported in the Times Educational Supplement last week. “Most people go there for sailing for two weeks a year,” the TES reported Hoare saying. “There’s a sailing club that is one of the best in the world, where there’s champagne. But just within inches, there are people who live in a ghetto and we’ve allowed it to happen.”Hoare’s comments about the Isle of Wight, made at a Teach First conference in Leeds, were reported in the Times Educational Supplement last week. “Most people go there for sailing for two weeks a year,” the TES reported Hoare saying. “There’s a sailing club that is one of the best in the world, where there’s champagne. But just within inches, there are people who live in a ghetto and we’ve allowed it to happen.”
He continued: “They think of it as holiday land. But it is shocking. It’s a ghetto; there has been inbreeding.”He continued: “They think of it as holiday land. But it is shocking. It’s a ghetto; there has been inbreeding.”
Hoare said he had intended to highlight poor educational outcomes in coastal communities, particularly among low-income white British children, but following a telephone conversation over the weekend with the leader of the Isle of Wight council, Jonathan Bacon, the Ofsted chief acknowledged that school standards on the island were now rising.Hoare said he had intended to highlight poor educational outcomes in coastal communities, particularly among low-income white British children, but following a telephone conversation over the weekend with the leader of the Isle of Wight council, Jonathan Bacon, the Ofsted chief acknowledged that school standards on the island were now rising.
“Following my conversation with Councillor Bacon, I now have a better understanding of the particular challenges and barriers facing island communities like the Isle of Wight, including around the recruitment and retention of professionals such as teachers. I am keen to assist its residents by making sure these challenges and problems are fully recognised.”“Following my conversation with Councillor Bacon, I now have a better understanding of the particular challenges and barriers facing island communities like the Isle of Wight, including around the recruitment and retention of professionals such as teachers. I am keen to assist its residents by making sure these challenges and problems are fully recognised.”
Bacon said he was pleased Hoare had agreed to visit the island but added: “If Mr Hoare had been describing an inner-city area in the terms he had there would likely be significant levels of government intervention and funding to turn around the ‘causes’ of poor educational performance.Bacon said he was pleased Hoare had agreed to visit the island but added: “If Mr Hoare had been describing an inner-city area in the terms he had there would likely be significant levels of government intervention and funding to turn around the ‘causes’ of poor educational performance.
“But, because the causes are less easy to define for an island or indeed a coastal community, and because in general terms we get bracketed with the prosperous south-east of England, the Isle of Wight always seems to get overlooked for the help and assistance it deserves.”“But, because the causes are less easy to define for an island or indeed a coastal community, and because in general terms we get bracketed with the prosperous south-east of England, the Isle of Wight always seems to get overlooked for the help and assistance it deserves.”
He said the council, supported by Hampshire county council, had delivered the improvements in educational performance required by Ofsted in 2013, adding however: “I am concerned that our rate of progress will be slowed as government continues to reduce our levels of funding to support education and public services in general, unless it recognises our unique challenges as an island.”He said the council, supported by Hampshire county council, had delivered the improvements in educational performance required by Ofsted in 2013, adding however: “I am concerned that our rate of progress will be slowed as government continues to reduce our levels of funding to support education and public services in general, unless it recognises our unique challenges as an island.”
• This article was amended on 24 August 2016. An earlier version incorrectly described David Hoare as a former banker.