More than 500 primary schools below floor target

Number of schools below floor standard falls, but the number of ‘coasting’ schools has risen
14th December 2017, 9:47am

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More than 500 primary schools below floor target

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More than 500 primary schools are below the government’s floor standard this year, official figures show.

The statistics from the Department for Education, show that 511 mainstream primaries were below the floor standard in 2017 meaning that 4 per cent of primaries are below the threshold this year.

The number is 154 fewer than last year, when 665 mainstream primaries in England were below the floor standard.

But the proportion of schools below the floor standard ranges from 1 per cent in  London to 5 per cent in the South West and the Midlands.

Schools meet the floor standard if at least 65 per cent of pupils reach the expected standard in reading, writing and maths or the school achieves sufficient progress score in all three subjects.

This means that to be below the floor standard, a school must be below both the attainment and progress measures. The floor standard is the same as last year.

Primary schools ‘coasting’

The figures out today also show that 524 (4 per cent) of primary schools are classed as “coasting”.

This is a rise from last year when 477 schools (3 per cent) were coasting.

There is some overlap between schools which are below the floor standard and those which are deemed coasting - 117 schools are in both categories.

If a school falls below the floor standard it can be academised or, if already an academy, a new sponsor found.

If a school is deemed to be coasting, the local authority or regional schools commissioner will consider what action, if any, is necessary. Again, ultimately, a school can be required to become an academy or have a new sponsor.

Expected standards

But the government has said that no single piece of data will be used to determine intervention.

The national results out earlier this year revealed that 61 per cent of pupils had reached the expected standard in reading, writing and maths.

Nick Gibb, School Standards Minister,  said: “There are now 1.9 million more children in good or outstanding schools than in 2010, with nine out of 10 primary schools given this rating at their last inspection - and our recent rise up the Pirls rankings puts the success of our reforms and the hard work of teachers on a global scale. This means that pupils are now leaving primary school better prepared for the rigours of secondary school and for future success in their education.”

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