Ofsted figures show almost half of schools not doing well enough
Regulator says 3% rise in number of schools judged to be 'inadequate' is probably due to new inspection regime.
Almost half of schools inspected in the first three months of this year were found to be not good enough, new figures show.
Statistics published by Ofsted reveal that 34% of the 1,964 schools visited by inspectors between January and March were only satisfactory.
And a further 9% were judged to be inadequate and either given a notice to improve or put in special measures. This is higher than the previous academic year, 2010/11, when 6% were found to be inadequate.
Ofsted said this is likely to be because, since January, schools have been inspected under a new regime.
Under the system, schools previously rated "outstanding" are now not routinely inspected and those considered "good" are visited less frequently.
It means that Ofsted is now inspecting more weaker schools as well as good and outstanding schools where potential concerns have been identified.
The latest figures also show that 7% of the schools visited between January and March were found to be "outstanding", while half were declared "good".
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... (The Guardian - 12 June)