Free School News

The central conclusion of the report saw solutions based in encouraging inclusion methods within mainstream schools as a way of tackling consequences of exclusion such as poor GCSE grades and risks of gang violence. Although this will lead to a reduction in the overall exclusion figures, vulnerable children may not be receiving the support they require remaining in mainstream schools.

Last week, the Independent Schools Council published its annual census. On publication, Julie Robinson, ISC Chief Executive, said “The existence of a private sector eases pressure on class sizes in state schools, and saves the taxpayer £3.5billion each year”. The census also reported a rise in both the number of partnerships projects between state and independent schools, and provision of means-tested fee assistance increasing to a value of more than £420million.

Ofsted data shows that 2,223 primary schools are rated as Inadequate or Requires Improvement. This means that around 95,000 four and five year olds will be starting their school days in schools that are not good enough.

Amongst this number, Ofsted has identified 290 ‘stuck schools’ – primary schools which have been judged as Satisfactory, Requires Improvement or Inadequate at every inspection since 2005. The New Schools Network’s analysis estimates that over a million children will have attended these primary schools over the 14-year period.