Ofsted rates Northumberland schools as best in the North East
06 Dec 2023 ARCHIVED (over 3 months old) - view latest news
A new report celebrates record Ofsted results for Northumberland schools and sets out the council’s vision to continue to be a land of great opportunities for all young people.
The Education, SEND and Skills Annual Report for Northumberland looks back at the achievements and challenges of the academic year 2022-23.
It praises the hard work, commitment and resilience of our school staff, young people and families as the county achieved its best ever Ofsted results.
The latest figures show that 94.5% per cent are rated good or outstanding, well above the national average of 89%, and placing the county joint highest in the region.
The vast majority of families also receive their first-choice primary school – 98.2%, 6% above the national average and 95.5% of children were allocated their first-choice secondary school – 13% above the national average.
Other highlights include:
- The quality of early years provision in Northumberland is excellent with 97% of early years providers rated Good or Outstanding
- More children are achieving a Good Level of Development in early years than the national average
- The county’s school investment programme continues to take shape with new school builds planned in the Seaton Valley, Coquet and Berwick Partnerships of schools
- Revamped campuses for Northumberland Skills, including a specialist welding training centre and construction campus, are creating more employment opportunities in key growth sectors
- Post-16 courses are expanding for young people with SEND
- Improved outcomes for cared-for children and young people.
The report also outlines the wide range of work underway to continue to tackle inequalities so that all children across the county get the best start in life. This includes:
- Continued investment in the council’s School Improvement Team
- A SEND Place Planning Strategy and Inclusion Strategy to make sure all children and young people can access the education that’s best for them as close to their communities as possible
- An attendance campaign, Attend Today, Achieve Tomorrow, to support continued improved attendance
- A recruitment drive across the early years and education sector.
Cllr Guy Renner Thompson, Cabinet Member for Inspiring Young People, said: “We place a very high value on education in Northumberland and are very proud of all our excellent provision that takes children on a journey right from their early years through to adulthood to give them the best start in life.
“The hard work of school leaders, supported by our School Improvement Team, means that inspection outcomes are the highest they have ever been.
“Our schools’ capital investment programme also continues to take shape – transforming education facilities for young people now and long into the future and bringing benefits for whole communities.
“Tackling inequalities, driving economic growth are delivering best value are our top priorities as a council and investing in education is key to our vision of continuing to be a land of great opportunities.
“I would like to thank everyone who works so hard to make sure that our young people can thrive, follow their ambitions in life and reach their potential.
“And most of all, I would also like to congratulate our young people for all their fantastic achievements.”