Poverty 'no excuse for failing schools'

SCHOOLS will be barred from using poverty as an excuse for poor teaching under plans to be announced by Labour this week.

- Jonathan Walker

Shadow Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson will insist every school must take responsibility for the progress of its pupils, as part of wide-ranging reforms to inspectors Ofsted.

Reports will reveal how each school is performing when compared to others with similar demographics.

It would mean a school with a high number of children eligible for free school meals is assessed by comparing it to others in the same situation.

While it is widely accepted poorer pupils are more likely to struggle, the new system will identify schools that give them the best possible start and those that must improve.