Commenting on the Annual Report of Her
Majesty's Chief Inspector of Schools 2006/07 published by the
Office for Standards in Education (Ofsted) today, Andrew Adonis,
Minister for Schools and Learners, said
"This annual report is the most positive and
encouraging assessment that we have seen of our schools. It
highlights the great progress we have made but also the scale of
the challenge ahead of us to create world class standards in
every school and college in every part of the
country.
"Against tough inspection standards, more
schools are outstanding, the proportion of inadequate schools is
lower, and Ofsted's close monitoring of schools where there have
been concerns in the past is paying off. I am particularly
pleased that the report highlights the impact that strong and
effective leadership of schools can make to pupils' progress. The
report is a testament to the hard work of teachers, schools and
early years professionals.
"Overall, inspection evidence across the board
shows a broadly positive picture and I am pleased that the work
of the great majority of providers is meeting demanding Ofsted
standards. The report says that improvements are evident across
childcare, education, and adult skills.
"This report confirms that our reforms are on
the right track. All schools and nurseries now have access to
high-quality, engaging classroom materials to help them teach
phonics, and the Every Child a Reader pilot is helping six year
olds with literacy problems learn to read. Our changes to the
secondary curriculum will mean more engaging and interesting
lessons for pupils and, for teachers, more flexibility to tailor
teaching to pupils' needs and aspirations.
Changes to history and citizenship classes
will put understanding core British values at the heart of
teaching. Our new duty on schools to promote community cohesion
will help all children understand how they fit in to the world
around them. New Diplomas and our plans to raise the
participation age to 18 will engage more young people in
education and training and give them a foot in the door to the
world of work.
"But as well as highlighting progress, the
report asks some very pertinent questions. All of us involved in
services for children and young people must constantly ask
ourselves how their experiences of education and care can help
improve their chances in life. 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, but our new
department has been established to help us take measures to
support every child in the round, and to carry opportunities to
those most in need. Only last week we published delivery plans to
raise standards, to promote all children's health and wellbeing,
and to put every child on the path to success.
"We have invested over #21bn in the early
years, and will spend an extra #4bn in the next spending period
to give all children the best start in life. We have established
1,500 Sure Start Children's Centres in some of the most
disadvantaged areas in the country, and are helping them reach
out to the most vulnerable and disadvantaged
children.
"We are giving all of those working in
education and care the resources and the tools to make sure that
every child really does matter. We are providing investment and
leadership for a greater focus on personalised learning, with
appropriate support and schooling for gifted and talented
children, those with special educational needs and those falling
behind. We want every child to make progress at every stage of
their education, whatever their background, gender or
ability.
"The report finds that one of the key features
of successful schools is high aspirations for pupils' personal
and academic success. I know that our ambition for every school
to be a good school is shared by everyone working in
education.
"We will not be satisfied until we have closed
the gap between the poorer and the more affluent, and until every
child and young person has the opportunities they deserve to
prosper and succeed. Supporting children, young people and their
families in the community is integral to helping all children,
promoting excellence and closing the achievement gap in
schools."
Minister for Children and Young People,
, added:
"We know that in the past society has failed
our children in care, which is why we want local authorities,
carers and schools to work together to give children in care a
decent start in life. We want them to have the same aspirations
and ambitions for these children as they do for their
own.
"We are going to make sure that children in
care get places in the best schools and help from a designated
teacher. Those children in care who need it will get #500 a year
to support their education, for example, to buy books and hire
tutors. We are also going to give them free access to
after-school activities, #100 a year in their Child Trust Fund to
build up a nest egg for when they leave care and a #2000
university bursary. It is time for a radical change for these
children, so that they get the same sort of opportunities as
other children."
