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Government Says Almost 350 Schools In England Are Underperforming

Government Says Almost 350 Schools In England Are Underperforming

A report shows the North West of England had the highest proportion of underperforming schools

Rachael Grealish

Rachael Grealish

It's been revealed that almost 350 schools in the UK were considered to be underperforming in 2018, as stated by a new set of statistics from the Department for Education (DfE).

The results, based on the performance of youngsters in their GCSE exams, said that 11.6 per cent of schools didn't meet government standards - of them included schools in Hertfordshire, Yorkshire, Cumbria, Merseyside and London.

It showed the North West of England had the highest proportion of underperforming schools, including: Solway Community Technology College, in Silloth, Cumbria, King's Leadership Academy Hawthornes, in Merseyside, Lostock College, Stretford, Greater Manchester, and The Boulevard Academy, Hull.

Two London schools - Durand Academy, in Lambeth, and Compass School, Southwark - featured, along with Robert Owen Academy, Hereford, in Herefordshire.

Although a Yorkshire school featured in the list of most underperforming, Yorkshire and Humber had the lowest population of schools underperforming to government standards.

GCSE exams.
PA

The data is added to the Government's Floor Standard - based on students' progress not attainment, so schools need students to make steady progress not just hit high grades.

However, the figures released in the data from DfE are only based on state-funded comprehensive schools and don't include University Technical Colleges (UTCSs), further education colleges with 14-16 provision or studio schools.

School Standards Minister Nick Gibb said today: "Making sure that all pupils, regardless of their background, are able to fulfil their potential is one of this Government's key priorities and these results show that more pupils across the country are doing just that.

"It's been clear for some time that standards are rising in our schools and today's data underlines the role academies and free schools are playing in that improvement, with progress above the national average and impressive outcomes for disadvantaged pupils.

GCSE practice in schools.
PA

"Also vital to rising standards is the increasing number of pupils entering the EBacc.

"With a record number of disadvantaged pupils achieving good grades in the EBacc, more pupils will go on to further and higher education with a wider range of options and opportunities."

It isn't all glum news though; the statistics also shows the number of children achieving grade five or above at GCSE in subjects such as English and maths has gone up from 42.6 per cent in 2017 to 43.3 percent in 2018.

Featured Image Credit: PA

Topics: UK News, schools, Politics