Telford MP backs Labour's plan to tackle "stuck" schools
Telford MP Shaun has voiced his support for Labour's new initiative aimed at improving struggling schools in the area.
The plan focuses on providing additional funding and support to schools that have consistently received poor Ofsted ratings, often referred to as "stuck" schools. Telford is set to receive up to £470,000 as part of this national program.
Shaun commented, “Children growing up in Telford deserve the best start in life, nothing less. This additional funding is a game-changer for transforming our struggling schools. But from speaking to head teachers and education professionals in Telford I know that money alone isn’t enough for them - we must ensure they have access to peer support, drawing on excellence and best practices, so they’re never alone in driving the critical changes they need.”
Labour's Education Secretary, Bridget Phillipson, unveiled the plans in a recent speech, outlining a vision to reform and modernize the education system. A key component of the strategy is the creation of new Regional Improvement Support and Excellence (RISE) teams, backed by over £20 million in funding. These teams will work directly with "stuck" schools, developing bespoke improvement plans and providing access to specialist support. This represents a significant increase in support compared to previous initiatives.
In Telford, five schools have been identified as "stuck," having received consecutive "requires improvement" or lower ratings from Ofsted. These schools will be prioritised by the RISE teams. Labour's plan also includes the possibility of structural intervention, such as academy conversion or placement in a strong trust, for schools that fail to demonstrate rapid improvement. Furthermore, increased monitoring of underperforming schools is proposed to ensure progress is tracked effectively.
The initiative aims to address the significant attainment gap that exists between students attending "stuck" schools and their peers. Nationally, students in these schools perform considerably worse in both primary and secondary school exams.
Beyond the immediate focus on struggling schools, the RISE teams will also offer a universal service to all schools, providing access to best practices and facilitating collaboration. This broader approach aims to drive up standards across the entire education system.
The announcement coincides with Ofsted's unveiling of new school report cards, which will evaluate schools across nine areas. These report cards, set to be rolled out in phases starting this September, will provide parents with more detailed information about school performance. Ofsted also proposes evaluating areas from “exemplary” to “causing concern.” These measures are intended to enhance accountability and provide a clearer picture of school quality for parents.
