Council-maintained schools have continued to outshine their academy counterparts in Ofsted ratings, according to latest research from the Local Government Association (LGA). The stark contrast has been revealed through data showing that 93% of council-run schools were rated 'outstanding' or 'good' by January this year. This leaves academies lagging behind with an 87% success rate.
These statistics echo findings from last year, where 92% of maintained schools held top ratings against 85% for academies. Furthermore, nearly three-quarters (73%) of council-maintained schools managed to turn their fortunes around, improving from 'inadequate' or 'requires improvement' to 'good' or 'outstanding'. In stark contrast, only 57% of academies achieved similar progress.
The latest research has raised fresh questions about the government's long-term goal for all schools to join multi-academy trusts (MATs) by 2030. Although over a third of schools have voluntarily joined the academy system, maintained schools with poor Ofsted ratings are forced to convert. Those receiving two consecutive 'requires improvement' ratings can also be directed towards becoming academies.
The LGA and various education sector bodies, including the National Association of Head Teachers (NAHT) and the National Education Union (NEU), have used these findings to challenge the shift away from council-maintained schools. Academies now account for 80% of secondary schools and 40% of primary schools in England.
Councillor Louise Gittins, Chair of the LGA's children and young people board, praised the achievement of maintained schools while urging authorities to be recognised as effective partners in education provision. "Our research is a reminder of the excellent performance of council-maintained schools," she said. "It's time for councils to be given permission to open their own schools once more."
Mary Bousted, joint general secretary of the National Education Union, echoed Gittins' sentiments, highlighting the value in maintaining a democratically organised school system. She called for authorities to be allowed to establish new maintained schools to address changing demographics and ensure quality provision, as well as taking on greater oversight in admissions across all schools.