Increase in schools given top ratings by Ofsted

Schools are improving at an “unprecedented” rate, the chief schools inspector Sir Michael Wilshaw said on Monday.

The education standards watchdog Ofsted released figures that showed a 9 per cent rise in the number of schools rated “good” or “outstanding”, up from 69 per cent to 78 per cent.

However, they still show that an estimated 1.5 million pupils are taught in schools that are less than good – and the percentage of schools ranked “inadequate” has stayed roughly the same.

Speaking to an audience of head teachers in Manchester, Sir Michael put the rise in good schools down to changes in the inspection system. In particular, he argued, the decision to scrap the rating “satisfactory” in favour of “requires improvement” had prompted heads to aim higher to avoid being told they must improve.

Ofsted estimated the new figures showed 600,000 more pupils were now taught in “good” schools or better – which Sir Michael described as a “cause for celebration”.