0370 270 6000

Search

Search Mobile

collapse

already registered?

Please sign in with your existing account details.

Email address

Password

Sign in with LinkedIn

need to register?

Register to access exclusive content, sign up to receive our updates and personalise your experience on brownejacobson.com.

Privacy statement - Terms and conditions

Register with LinkedIn

Forgotten your password?

collapseSign

Browne Jacobson home

Home

Insights

Blogs

Better to fail?

better to fail?

27 March 2012

With Ofsted’s chief inspector, Sir Michael Wilshaw, amending the “satisfactory” rating for schools to “needs improvement” there has been a recent increase in attention paid to borderline schools.

Studies by the Institute of Education, University of London, and the Centre for Market and Public Organisation, University of Bristol, indicated schools that “just failed” are more likely to do better in the long run than schools just above the boundary, with failing schools achieving on average improvements of 10% in their GCSE results. Rather than damaging morale, schools are prompted to take corrective action leading to sustained results in the long-term.

Despite this, word of mouth and reputation are important considerations for parents when choosing a school for their child. Being labelled a “failed school” will inevitably damage a school’s reputation in its local community. Although schools may address the issues leading to their ‘failure’ and end up a success, failing an inspection itself will cause damage that will take time to repair.

related opinions

Return of university students for the spring term

The government has issued guidance on how University students will return and resume blended learning after the Christmas break - what does this mean for HE providers?

Covid-19 student testing and the Christmas travel window

The government has issued its guidance on how University students will be able to travel home safely at Christmas.

Government guidance on Higher Education - updated

On 30th September, the government updated its guidance to universities on re-opening their buildings and campuses.

Government guidance on Covid-19 for Higher Education (HE) institutions

Following the Prime Minister’s announcement on new measures to tackle Coronavirus, and with students about to start new terms, the government has updated its guidance to universities to make their buildings and campuses as safe as possible.

View all blogs

Lauren Webb

Senior Associate

mailing list sign up

Select which mailings you would like to receive from us.

Sign up