Increase in schools rated inadequate by Ofsted

Latest figures from the schools inspectorate for the last four months of 2009 found that 10 per cent of schools were inadequate, compared to four per cent the previous academic year.

Of the 2,140 schools inspected between September and December last year only half achieved the highest grades of "good" or "outstanding" and four out of 10 were judged as "satisfactory".

Chief schools inspector Christine Gilbert said it is unfair to compare these latest results with last year's figures as the new inspection regime has a greater focus on struggling schools.

She says that the level of schools judged to be inadequate at the end of 2009 is the same as 2005/6, when the schools inspecting regime was last changed.

She said: "These results are what we expected given the sharper focus of the new inspection framework and the sample of schools inspected in the first few months. We wanted to concentrate more resources on the less effective schools, particularly those with pupils in danger of underachieving and offer clear recommendations for improvement."

She says that the new inspection regime also has a greater focus on quality of teaching, and classroom observation, adding that schools had welcomed the changes.

Christine Blower, NUT general secretary, said: "This report will be greeted with incredulity in staff rooms across the country.

"The picture that Christine Gilbert paints of schools finding the new inspections regime a fair and positive experience bears no resemblance to the reality many teachers and head teachers are experiencing."

She added the union's members have reported that a full range of schools rather than just the weaker ones were inspected during the period covered in the figures.

The National Association of Head Teachers general secretary Mick Brookes also criticised the new inspection regime.

He said: "The reality is that these results say more about Ofsted's inspection processes than they do about school performance. An over-reliance on attainment data, limiting judgements, pre-determined outcomes and inconsistent inspection team quality have all become par for the course."