Industry News
'Widening gap' between private and state
Posted on 19th October 2007
The Conservatives have expressed concern over the growing gap between independent and comprehensive schools, it has been reported.
Shadow schools minister Nick Gibb told the BBC there was an urgent need for improvements to the state school sector, accusing the government of failing to do enough for social mobility.
He told Radio 4's The World at One programme: "This is a government elected ten years ago on a promise to raise standards in education and here we are ten years later with a … report saying that half of secondary schools are not up to scratch."
Meanwhile, schools minister Lord Adonis told the programme that standards were rising in schools. He said there was an "urgent and compelling" case for reform but that it should be viewed against a background of improving standards.
A recent report by schools watchdog Ofsted revealed only 14 per cent of secondary schools had achieved an "outstanding" grade.
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