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Ofsted announces review of education in poorest areas Ofsted announces review of education in poorest areas
(about 1 hour later)
By Judith Burns Education reporter, BBC NewsBy Judith Burns Education reporter, BBC News
The chief schools inspector in England, Sir Michael Wilshaw, has launched a review of the educational achievements of the poorest communities.The chief schools inspector in England, Sir Michael Wilshaw, has launched a review of the educational achievements of the poorest communities.
The review will aim to find radical solutions to "long-standing and deep-seated" educational problems in deprived areas.The review will aim to find radical solutions to "long-standing and deep-seated" educational problems in deprived areas.
Sir Michael told a conference that previous reports had painted a "bleak picture of underperformance." Sir Michael told a conference that previous reports had painted a "bleak picture of underperformance".
He called on educational leaders to help "change the learning landscape."He called on educational leaders to help "change the learning landscape."
Sir Michael told the annual conference of the National College for School Leadership in Birmingham that he recognised there had been big improvements in areas such as London and among some ethnic minority groups in recent years.Sir Michael told the annual conference of the National College for School Leadership in Birmingham that he recognised there had been big improvements in areas such as London and among some ethnic minority groups in recent years.
But he said the gap in educational achievement between rich and poor was "still far too wide." But he said the gap in educational achievement between rich and poor was "still far too wide".
Sir Michael referred to two reports produced by Ofsted 10 and 20 years ago, entitled Access and Achievement in Urban Education.Sir Michael referred to two reports produced by Ofsted 10 and 20 years ago, entitled Access and Achievement in Urban Education.
He said the first described the lack of educational success and paucity of good-quality provision in deprived communities, and ten years later the second showed little improvement. He said the first described the lack of educational success and paucity of good-quality provision in deprived communities, and 10 years later the second showed little improvement.
Sir Michael added: "I am asking the education leaders of this country to take ownership of the situation and show the leadership needed to change the learning landscape.Sir Michael added: "I am asking the education leaders of this country to take ownership of the situation and show the leadership needed to change the learning landscape.
"Everyone who agrees that all children deserve a good education needs to work in partnership to introduce the radical solutions needed today to make a real difference for the children of tomorrow.""Everyone who agrees that all children deserve a good education needs to work in partnership to introduce the radical solutions needed today to make a real difference for the children of tomorrow."
Ofsted announced the review panel of the new report would include leading heads and academic experts.
Key issuesKey issues
They will focus on five key issues, among them how parents and educators can ensure the best possible start for pupils, why some children and young people are more affected by socio-economic and educational disadvantage than others and how to learn from the most effective schools. Ofsted said the review panel of the new report would include leading head teachers and academic experts.
They will focus on five key issues, among them how parents and educators can ensure the best possible start for pupils; why some children and young people are more affected by socio-economic and educational disadvantage than others; and how to learn from the most effective schools.
The report will be published in May 2013.The report will be published in May 2013.
Brian Lightman, General Secretary of the Association of School and College Leaders welcomed the inquiry. Brian Lightman, General Secretary of the Association of School and College Leaders, welcomed the pledge to involve teaching practitioners in the inquiry.
"We are pleased that Ofsted has invited practitioners to take ownership of the situation and to be involved in the inquiry. "Teachers and school leaders are already leading the efforts to change the learning landscape, and we have asked the government time and again to involve them in finding solutions at a national level, rather than treating them as part of the problem," he said.
"Teachers and school leaders are already leading the efforts to change the learning landscape, and we have asked the government time and again to involve them in finding solutions at a national level, rather than treating them as part of the problem. Russell Hobby, General Secretary of the National Association of Head Teachers, said: "The NAHT believes that every child should have a good education and welcomes recognition of the heroic efforts of some schools in our most deprived communities to ensure this."
"The government and professionals working together in a culture of mutual trust and respect is the only way we will make significant gains in improving the life chances of the most vulnerable young people." Christine Blower, general secretary of the National Union of Teachers, said that the review must look at "life outside as well as inside the classroom" as recent poverty statistics showed that "life opportunities of children from disadvantaged backgrounds are being severely closed down".
She added: "To counteract such disadvantage schools need to have the funding and resources to ensure that all their pupils succeed."