25 January 2018 weekly update

Dear Colleagues

Ofsted Inspection Update January 2018

The latest Ofsted inspection figures show a steady continual improvement in the quality of education in Kent schools.

Overall, 91.6% of schools in Kent are now rated good or outstanding compared to 89% nationally. This includes 22% of schools judged to be outstanding and 70% judged to be good. This is in line with our target of 93% for summer 2018, so we are making very good progress.

This overall figure includes 93% of Primary schools judged to be good or outstanding, 91% of Secondary schools, 91% of Special schools and 43% of PRUs in Kent. Also, 97% of Early Years settings are good or outstanding, which is excellent.

We now have 382 good and 120 outstanding schools, 43 schools requiring improvement and 3 schools in a category of concern, out of a total of 548 schools that have a current inspection result. Overall there are 14 more good and outstanding schools compared to this time last year.

19.5% of Primary schools are outstanding, 73% are good, 7% require improvement and 0.5% are inadequate. 32% of Secondary schools are outstanding, 59% are good, 9% require improvement and none are inadequate. 27% of Special schools are outstanding and 64% are good and 9% require improvement.

Pupils Attending a Good or Better School

92% of pupils in Kent now attend a good or outstanding school, including 91% of Primary pupils, 93% of Secondary pupils and 94% of pupils attending Special schools. This means that 12246 more pupils attend a good or outstanding school compared to December last year, including 6671 more Primary pupils and 5523 more Secondary pupils.

The trend over time continues to be a good rate of improvement. In December 2016, 88% of schools were good or outstanding which was above the national average. At that time, there were 375 good and 114 outstanding schools, 50 schools requiring improvement (including 37 Primary schools and 12 Secondary schools) and 4 schools in a category, out of a total of 545 schools that had a current inspection result.

Looking back, in December 2015, 84% of Kent schools were good or outstanding, compared to 75% in 2014, 68% in 2013, 59% in 2012 and 55% in 2011.

We expect this positive upward trend to continue towards our ambitious target of at least 95% of Primary and 90% of Secondary schools to be judged good or outstanding in the next 18 months.

All schools currently rated as inadequate and as ‘requires improvement’ are working closely with the School Improvement Team, and are supported by other schools, to ensure they achieve a rapid rate of improvement to good. We continue to aim for all children in Kent to attend at least a good school.

Overall we should be pleased about the rate of improvement in Kent and continue to be ambitious to achieve more so that we are among the best performing areas in the country.

Spring Headteacher meeting dates

The next round of Headteacher meetings are taking place in March. The focus of these meetings will be shared closer to the date of the meetings. We very much hope that you will be able to attend one of the following four meetings.

The dates, times and locations for the Spring Headteacher Meetings are:

Monday 5 March 2018 - 1pm for 1:30pm start - 4pm - Ashford International Hotel, Simone Weil Avenue, Ashford TN24 8UX

Tuesday 6 March 2018 - 1pm for 1:30pm start - 4pm - The Spitfire Ground (Canterbury Cricket Ground), St Lawrence, Old Dover Road, Canterbury CT1 3NZ

Tuesday 13 March 2018 - 9am for 9:30am start - 12pm - Mercure Dartford Brands Hatch Hotel, Brands Hatch, Colin Chapman Way, Dartford DA3 8PE

Wednesday 14 March 2018 - 9am for 9:30am start - 12pm - Oakwood House, Oakwood Road, Maidstone ME16 8AE

To book a place, please email eypssupportteam@kent.gov.uk confirming your name and school, and the session you are able to join.

Matt Dunkley CBE
Corporate Director
Children, Young People and Education