‘Coasting schools’ to face government intervention
The Tories have announced their plans to intervene in schools deemed as ‘coasting’ under stringent new rules outlined by the education secretary.
Coasting schools have been defined as schools where pupils are not making sufficient academic progress.
Education Secretary Nicky Morgan has said that ‘coasting schools’ will now be categorised as schools that fail to make sure that 60% of students achieve five ‘good’ GSCE grades. The added pressure that will be heaped on educators will see schools open to intervention unless they meet the new target. Morgan says she wants to “shine a light on complacency”.
But teaching unions have slammed the Tory policy, saying it already adds unfair pressure on both students and schools. Brian Lightman, general secretary of the Association of School and College Leaders has said that “We feel this announcement is premature, as consultation about this definition has not been completed and the criteria it sets out for what constitutes a coasting school is muddled.”
Lightman was also concerned that the new proposals may see the very face of English schools change permanently. He said, “We are pleased to see that there is an emphasis on supporting schools which are deemed to be coasting. However, it seems the eventual outcome will be to turn many of them into academies as though this is a solution in itself”.
But the education secretary has come out in staunch defence of her government’s policies. She insists that the proposal is all about making schools accountable and nothing to do with turning them into academies. She said, “Our one nation approach is very much about making sure children are being properly supported to achieve their best in school. But, for too long, a group of coasting schools, many in leafy areas with more advantages than schools in disadvantaged communities, have fallen beneath the radar”.
The Tories’ decision to intervene in schools has stirred confusion and anger not only among unions but also among parents and education specialists. They argue that many current schools across England will now be defined as ‘coasting’ making them vulnerable to intervention.
LM/HA
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