School success for Liverpool
Liverpool is the only major city to have all of its schools given a clean bill of health by government education inspectors.
For the first time since the Ofsted inspection regime was introduced 20 years ago, Liverpool has none of its 167 schools classed as ‘inadequate’.
Some 77 percent of schools in the city – 130 – are now classed as either ‘good’ or ‘outstanding’.
A decade ago 25 schools were judged to have either serious weaknesses or be in special measures, and the education service was on the brink of being privatised because it was failing children.
The number has been steadily declining ever since, and now the three primary schools which were previously judged to be inadequate have been re-inspected and judged as rapidly improving.
Tim Warren, assistant director for the schools service, said: “This is an incredible achievement and is testament to the extremely strong and positive relationship between schools, teaching staff, governing bodies and the local authority in driving up standards and giving children the best possible start in life.
“For a city the size of Liverpool, with all the challenges that deprivation levels bring, to have over three quarters of its schools classed as good or outstanding is just fantastic.
“I would like to pass on my thanks to each and every one of our family of schools for their help, support and willingness to work together with us on identifying weaknesses and challenging poor performance.
“But we are not complacent and are working hard to further improve exam results and make sure our young people leave school with all the skills they need to lead successful lives.”
Support provided when they are placed in a category includes putting additional governors on the board, regularly reviewing recommendations made by Ofsted and sharing best practice from other schools across the city.
The three schools which have been moved out of ‘inadequate’ are:
•Pinehurst Primary School in Anfield – which has leapt up from being in ‘special measures’ to ‘good’. This is only the second time this has ever happened in Liverpool. The Ofsted report says: The strong determination of the school’s leaders, the governing body and staff and their measured approach to change have resulted in secure developments in the school’s provision. These have now taken effect strongly and are evident in the significant improvements to the quality of teaching and its impact on pupils’ learning and progress.
•Roscoe Primary School in Clubmoor – which was in ‘special measures’ and is now ‘satisfactory’. The school has been shortlisted for a prestigious Teaching Award in the category ‘Outstanding School Team’. The Ofsted report praises: skilful teaching which engages pupils well and builds positive relationships; good leadership and management which is focused on continuous school improvement and pupils’ behaviour
•Heygreen Primary School in Wavertree – which had been under a ‘notice to improve’ and is now ‘satisfactory’. The Ofsted report says: The school has made considerable improvement since its last inspection and now provides a satisfactory and improving quality of education for all pupils. The headteacher and deputy headteacher provide strong and effective leadership that is shared between the capable members of the senior leadership team.
In addition, a total of 19 Liverpool schools inspected by Ofsted in 2007/8 have been told they won’t be visited again until at least summer 2012 because they are judged to be sustaining their performance.
Exam results in the city are also at record levels - with pupils now matching the national average for five good grades including English and Maths at GCSE.
