Sunderland Echo

Fall in secondary schools rated good or outstandin­g

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2018/19 on January 20, and it shows the number of secondary schools rated good or outstandin­g in 2019 was down by 11%, to 39% – 19 points lower than the regional average.

Sandhill was rated as ‘requires improvemen­t’ in its first inspection since converting to academy status in March 2018, while Kepier in Houghton was downgraded from ‘good’ to ‘requires improvemen­t’ in January 2019.

The percentage of primary schools rated good or outstandin­g was unchanged at 93%, three points higher than the wider North East.

A total of 66% of children were reaching the expected standard at reading writing and maths in key stage 2, 1% better than nationally.

Secondarys­choolsexcl­uded 928 of 15,596 pupils in 201718 – a rate of 6%, just under the regional average.

Ofsted Regional Director for the North East Emma Ing said: “Education for younger children in the North East is excellent, with a higher proportion of nurseries, preschool and primary schools achieving good or outstandin­g than the national average.

“The picture is not so positive in secondary schools. Too many secondary pupils are simply not getting the education they need.

“Use of exclusion is a legitimate option for schools but it must always be justified and in the very best interests of all learners.”

A spokespers­on for Together for Children Sunderland said: “In 2018/19 93% of primary schools in Sunderland

were rated good or outstandin­g by Ofsted, a great achievemen­t.

“All our secondary schools work hard to support pupils. The decline in those rated good or outstandin­g may be attributed to two schools and we are supporting those particular academy trusts.

“We welcome changes to the Ofsted inspection framework that were introduced in September 2019 and we are working with schools to develop a clearer understand­ing of the new process.”

 ??  ?? Thomas Brookes and with mum Helen Wardropper (left) and aunt Cheryl Coggins
Thomas Brookes and with mum Helen Wardropper (left) and aunt Cheryl Coggins

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