City Councils Defend Schools

11 December 2014, 08:21 | Updated: 30 March 2016, 13:50

City Councils in the East Midlands have been defending their schools after Ofsted inspectors told Capital they weren't good enough.

A report claimed 158,000 students in our region aren't going to a school in Nottingham, Derby or Leicester rated as good or outstanding.

Christopher Russell, Ofsted East Midlands Director, told Capital:

'Too many pupils and young people in the East Midlands go to schools and colleges that are not good enough. They and their parents deserve better.

'Yet there are schools and colleges which are equipping children and young people with the education and skills which will serve them well in the future. They have strong leaders and high quality teaching, and they show that it can be done.'

Nottingham 'Strong Recovery'
In Nottingham, the City council have told Capital their schools are making improvements in behaviour and attendance

Councillor Sam Webster, Executive Assistant for Schools at the City Council, said:

'The improvements in school attendance are really quite remarkable. It is incredibly challenging to turn around poor attitudes to learning, to ensure more pupils are consistently at school and working hard.

'School leaders have to be congratulated for embracing new policies and approaches. They have consistently taken a zero tolerance stance to unauthorised school absence and poor behaviour such as swearing, wearing trainers and using mobile phones.'

Leicester - Unbalanced Picture
In Leicester, the City Council has told Capital they accept the results aren't good enough but don't think that truly reflects what work is being done.

Leicester Assistant City Mayor for children, young people and schools, Councillot Vi Dempster, said:

'While I accept that it is not good enough I'm concerned that, as so often, it doesn't provide a balanced picture.

'88 percent of our secondary schools are judged to be good or outstanding and those primary schools which require improvement are making the necessary progress.'

Derby 'Not Complacent'
Derby City Council say they welcome the report, Councillor Fareed Hussain, Cabinet Member for Children and Young People, told capitalfm.com:

'We are especially pleased that 86% of Derby's secondary schools are judged to be good or better by OFSTED. At the same time Derby has seen a 27 percentage point increase in the percentage of primary schools that are judged to be good or better.

'Schools are not complacent and the points for improvement with HMCI's report are areas which schools are working on together.'