Responding to Ofsted’s annual report on the overall quality
of education and care in England, Cllr , Chair of the Local
Government Association’s Children and Young People Board,
said:
“We are pleased that Ofsted is echoing our calls for more
transparency and accountability in academies and multi-academy
trusts to ensure disadvantaged children can get an education of
the highest quality that they deserve, whether that is in an
academy or a council-maintained school.
“Evidence shows that council-led interventions have an even
better record in terms of turning around failing schools with 89
per cent of maintained schools being good or outstanding.
"With the right powers, councils can play a leading role in
school improvement yet again and help the Government meet the
challenges currently facing the education system.
“The on-going review on the system for children with
special educational needs to take on board the views of councils
to make sure it works more effectively for everyone.
“The Government also needs to stress the importance of
Ofsted assessing inclusion of schools during inspections – rather
than focussing primarily on academic results - and hold schools
with low numbers of children with SEND to account.
“We agree with Ofsted that there should be a tougher
crackdown on illegal schools, which is why we are calling for the
Government to enforce a register so councils can make sure every
child not in school is getting the best possible start in
life.
“Ofsted has rightly recognised the pressure councils are
under to ensure children are getting the best support. The number
of children in care is rising every year, in particular amongst
older children who are more likely to require accommodation in
children’s homes. However, shortfalls in funding for children’s
services are making it incredibly difficult to develop and
maintain the right provision locally that meets the needs of
young people.
“Councils want to work with the government to ensure they
fulfil their promise to review the care system to understand
these pressures along with sustainable funding so the right homes
are available for all children in the right place whatever their
needs.”
