Over 200,000 children are trapped in dumping ground schools, report warns

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MORE than 200,000 children are trapped in dumping ground schools, a report says.

Many have never had the chance to learn in one graded good by Ofsted.

Over 200,000 children are trapped in ‘dumping ground’ schools, a report warned

The watchdog said 415 stuck schools in England are in a cycle of poor performance and have not made the rating for 13 years or more.

They are most likely to be in towns or small cities with a jobs market skewed towards larger cities, and where parents expectations are low.

Pupil turnover is usually higher, there are fewer experienced teachers and poor leadership.

Some are held back by antagonistic union leaders resistant to change, the report said. One teacher complained that their school was a dumping ground and the toilet of schools with under capacity.

Derby, Darlington and Southend-on-Sea, Essex, had the highest proportion of struggling schools while Surrey, Devon and Manchester had the lowest.

Ofsted boss Amanda Spielman said: This is failure of the highest order. What the remaining stuck schools need is tailored, specific and pragmatic advice that suits their circumstances not a carousel of consultants.

The Department for Education said: Whilst 86 per cent of schools are rated good or outstanding, there is more to do.

We will continue our relentless focus on standards by backing teachers and intervening where underperformance is entrenched.