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Schools 'not closing social gap' Schools 'not closing social gap'
(10 minutes later)
The social divide in schools in England shows little sign of closing, says the annual report from Ofsted inspectors.The social divide in schools in England shows little sign of closing, says the annual report from Ofsted inspectors.
Chief Inspector Christine Gilbert warned that poorer children still had "odds stacked against them" - achieving lower results than wealthier children.Chief Inspector Christine Gilbert warned that poorer children still had "odds stacked against them" - achieving lower results than wealthier children.
The report also revealed that almost half of inspected secondary schools were only "satisfactory" (39%) or "inadequate" (10%).The report also revealed that almost half of inspected secondary schools were only "satisfactory" (39%) or "inadequate" (10%).
Although an improvement on last year, this was of "significant concern".Although an improvement on last year, this was of "significant concern".
Despite a series of government initiatives to tackle social inequality in schools, the report from Ofsted concludes that "the relationship between poverty and outcomes for young people is stark".Despite a series of government initiatives to tackle social inequality in schools, the report from Ofsted concludes that "the relationship between poverty and outcomes for young people is stark".
'Deprived''Deprived'
"Young people living in the most deprived areas do worst in exams and are less likely to go to university," said Ms Gilbert, introducing her report on standards in education."Young people living in the most deprived areas do worst in exams and are less likely to go to university," said Ms Gilbert, introducing her report on standards in education.
ANNUAL REPORT 2007 Outstanding: 14%Good: 46%Satisfactory: 34%Inadequate: 6%522 schools in special measures Source: Ofsted inspections of 6,800 schools in England Failing schools now outstandingANNUAL REPORT 2007 Outstanding: 14%Good: 46%Satisfactory: 34%Inadequate: 6%522 schools in special measures Source: Ofsted inspections of 6,800 schools in England Failing schools now outstanding
"Schools in deprived areas are more likely to be inadequate than those serving more affluent areas.""Schools in deprived areas are more likely to be inadequate than those serving more affluent areas."
The report shows that only 33% of pupils who are eligible for free school meals achieved five or more good GCSEs, compared to 61% of other pupils.The report shows that only 33% of pupils who are eligible for free school meals achieved five or more good GCSEs, compared to 61% of other pupils.
And she warned of the "deep-rooted" problem that saw 200,000 teenagers who remained outside of education, training or employment.And she warned of the "deep-rooted" problem that saw 200,000 teenagers who remained outside of education, training or employment.
But the link between low family income and low achievement in school is "not straightforward", says the report, with gender and ethnicity also playing a part - with white, working-class boys making less progress than other groups.But the link between low family income and low achievement in school is "not straightforward", says the report, with gender and ethnicity also playing a part - with white, working-class boys making less progress than other groups.
The report, which brings together the evidence of inspections, shows that 14% of schools were outstanding - up by three percentage points from last year. The percentage of inadequate secondary schools had dropped from 13% to 10%.The report, which brings together the evidence of inspections, shows that 14% of schools were outstanding - up by three percentage points from last year. The percentage of inadequate secondary schools had dropped from 13% to 10%.
Weak performanceWeak performance
Primary schools were performing better than secondary - with 61% in the "good" or "outstanding" category, compared to 51% of secondary schools.
But Ms Gilbert warned that below the surface of these figures there were still worrying signs of underachievement - often overlapping with concerns about the weak performance of schools in deprived areas.But Ms Gilbert warned that below the surface of these figures there were still worrying signs of underachievement - often overlapping with concerns about the weak performance of schools in deprived areas.
"It cannot be right that 20% of pupils leave primary school without a solid foundation in literacy and numeracy," she said."It cannot be right that 20% of pupils leave primary school without a solid foundation in literacy and numeracy," she said.
The figure of one in 10 secondary schools being inadequate was less than last year, but remained a "significant concern".The figure of one in 10 secondary schools being inadequate was less than last year, but remained a "significant concern".
Last year, the chief inspector warned that it was "not good enough" that so many schools remained in the "satisfactory" category.Last year, the chief inspector warned that it was "not good enough" that so many schools remained in the "satisfactory" category.
But this year's figures show that half of secondary schools remained either satisfactory or worse.But this year's figures show that half of secondary schools remained either satisfactory or worse.
"I see no reason why every school should not now aspire to be a 'good' school," she said."I see no reason why every school should not now aspire to be a 'good' school," she said.
In introducing the annual report, Ms Gilbert also commented on the forthcoming vocationally-oriented Diplomas - observing that some head teachers were not enthusiastic about their introduction.In introducing the annual report, Ms Gilbert also commented on the forthcoming vocationally-oriented Diplomas - observing that some head teachers were not enthusiastic about their introduction.
Schools Minister Andrew Adonis said: "We know that we must do more to help the poorest, the most disadvantaged and the vulnerable to prosper and succeed. These are harder nuts to crack."Schools Minister Andrew Adonis said: "We know that we must do more to help the poorest, the most disadvantaged and the vulnerable to prosper and succeed. These are harder nuts to crack."
The Conservatives' schools spokesman, Nick Gibb, said: "It is unacceptable that almost half of secondary schools are judged no better than satisfactory - this is not good enough and explains why parents clamour to get their children into the few secondary schools judged to be the best."The Conservatives' schools spokesman, Nick Gibb, said: "It is unacceptable that almost half of secondary schools are judged no better than satisfactory - this is not good enough and explains why parents clamour to get their children into the few secondary schools judged to be the best."