Schools mainly satisfactory says Ofsted

Ofsted has released the official data showing inspection outcomes for the first four months of the new inspection framework.

In Rochdale Borough, Ofsted carried out inspections at seven schools from 1 September to 31 December 2009. One school was rated as outstanding, one as good, four as satisfactory and one as inadequate.

Throughout Greater Manchester, Ofsted carried out 114 inspections. 13 schools were rated as outstanding, 45 as good, 38 as satisfactory and 18 as inadequate.

Nationally, Ofsted carried out 2,140 school inspections over the same period. The new inspection regime is focussing more on weaker provision, and good and outstanding schools are now inspected less frequently. So, fewer schools that were outstanding or good at their last inspection were chosen for inspection in the autumn. This means that these results cannot be taken as reflecting the general quality of provision across all schools. The figures show that, through the combination of raised expectations and the selection of a greater number of weaker schools for inspection, the proportion of schools judged to be good or outstanding was 49%. Forty per cent were graded as satisfactory and 10% were inadequate.

A significant proportion of schools inspected in the autumn term have shown improvement since their last inspection. Overall a quarter of schools have improved their grade, while 35% of schools previously graded satisfactory were judged good or outstanding at this inspection. Half of the schools inspected maintained the same grade as their previous inspection, while a quarter went down.

Rochdale Online has asked Rochdale Borough Council to confirm the name of the school rated "inadequate" and what measures are to be taken to remedy this.