Ofsted has provided an independent boost for Michael Gove today. Just days after his plans to toughen up GCSEs were finally confirmed; a survey lambasts non-selective secondary schools for systematically failing thousands of bright children. Instead of challenging their abilities, Ofsted says the most intelligent pupils are being left to ‘tread water’.
The numbers in the report back up these disturbing claims. After surveying 41 schools and observing 2,000 lessons, Ofsted says 65 per cent of high-attaining pupils at primary school failed to achieve an A* or A grade in non-selective secondary schools. A quarter of pupils (27,000) previously classified as high attaining did not achieve a B grade in GCSE English or Mathematics. The report blames a lack of thorough assessment and progress tracking, as well as no proper expertise on catering for the brightest minds.
The teaching unions have been out in force, blaming the government’s ‘league-table culture’ for pushing teachers into the centre.
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