The watchdog responsible for monitoring the quality of education in England has downgraded hundreds of schools that were previously classed as “outstanding” after they were reinspected for the first time in years.
The report, published by Ofsted, states that only 17 percent of the 370 schools that held the top ranking retained the grade following reinspection. The report shows that 62 percent of schools were downgraded to “good,” while 21 percent were either dropped to “required improvement” or the bottom tier, “inadequate.”
Schools have accused the watchdog of unfair treatment, with several headteachers believing Ofsted deliberately targeted grammar schools.
Clare Wagner, the headmistress of the Henrietta Barnett School in London, which was downgraded to “good,” told The Telegraph that the inspection was “unfair” and that one of the inspectors had told her that her pupils would do well no matter which school they attended….