Head teachers label revised league tables inadequate
Head teachers are claiming that the government’s attempts to improve the school league table system have fallen short.
The government has published data on schools, which now includes how well disadvantaged children perform in each school; whether previously high-, average- and low-achieving pupils continue to make progress; and how many pupils at each school are entered into the core academic subjects that make up the so-called English Baccalaureate.
But the National Association of Head Teachers (NAHT) said the revised tables focus on a narrow definition of progress and do not measure how well schools do for pupils with different needs.
Russell Hobby, general secretary of the NAHT, said: “Unlike the world’s most successful education systems, England focuses on crude measures of school performance published in a high stakes adversarial climate.
“It makes sense to measure how well schools do with different types of learner. Doing so would encourage schools to focus on every pupil and help parents find the right school for their child’s needs.
“However, these tables focus instead on a narrow definition of progress and ability based on discredited test data at Key Stage 2 and actively encourage schools to focus on one group of students to the detriment of others. Until we find a better way of reflecting pupil progress and the excellent work which is routinely going on in our schools, tables like these should be treated with suspicion by teachers and parents alike.”
The 2011 Schools Performance Tables show that 33.9 per cent of disadvantaged pupils achieved five A* to C GCSE grades including English and maths, compared to the national average of 58.2 per cent.
In 339 schools, with more than 10 disadvantaged pupils, fewer than 20 per cent of those pupils achieved five A* to C GCSEs including English and maths. In contrast, 21 schools with more than 10 disadvantaged pupils, saw more than 80 per cent of those pupils gaining five A* to C GCSEs including English and maths.
Schools minister Nick Gibb said: “We should have high expectations for all children regardless of their circumstances. Today’s [26 January] figures reveal a shocking waste of talent in many schools across the country. All too often, pupils from disadvantaged backgrounds aren’t given the same opportunities as their peers.
“But there are great examples of schools achieving the best for their disadvantaged pupils. If they can get it right, then so can all schools.”
According to the figures 6.5 per cent of pupils who had been below Level 4 at the end of Key Stage 2 in primary school, went on to achieve five A* to C GCSEs including English and maths.
However, 4.9 per cent of pupils who were excelling at the end of primary school did not achieve five A* to Cs including English and maths.
Source CYP Now
