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Ofsted
Chief Inspector visits Liverpool Schools
OFSTED Chief Inspector Sir Michael
Wilshaw has been in Liverpool to see the work that is going on to raise
educational standards in the City.
During his visit he spent time at Notre Dame Catholic College in Everton and
Abbots Lea Special School in Woolton, meeting staff and pupils.
Notre Dame Catholic College was the first School to be rebuilt under the Mayor's
£169 million Liverpool Schools Investment Programme funded partly through
Liverpool's City Deal with the Government, and opened in 2013.
Abbots Lea Special School caters for more than 200 pupils with Autism and other
related difficulties aged between 5 and 19, and was ranked outstanding by Ofsted during its most recent inspection in January 2016.
Sir Michael Wilshaw has been in Liverpool at the invitation of Mayor Joe
Anderson and Assistant Mayor and Cabinet member for education, employment and
skills, Councillor Nick Small.
The invitation followed comments the Chief Inspector made earlier this year
about the importance of education to the success of the Northern Powerhouse.
During his time in the City, they talked to him about the work done in recent
years including the establishment of the Liverpool Learning Partnership which is
made up of education leaders who support and challenge each other, the Liverpool
Challenge chaired by former education minister Stephen Twigg MP and initiatives
to raise standards in literacy and maths.
Sir Michael Wilshaw said:- "I am grateful to the Mayor and Assistant Mayor
for inviting me to Liverpool to see 1st hand what is being done to improve the
City's Schools. During my visit I witnessed an enthusiasm for learning from
staff and pupils alike, and I am pleased to see leaders from across the City
working together to raise standards in education. Making sure our youngsters
regularly attend School is vital to improving their life chances, so it is
reassuring to see that initiatives like tackling poor attendance have been made
a top priority. Liverpool is an iconic City; known throughout the world for its
contributions to industry and culture. It is only right that we strive to ensure
that future generations receive a standard of education that is fitting of the
City's name."
Mayor Joe Anderson said:- "I was
delighted to welcome Sir Michael Wilshaw to Liverpool to show him the work that
we are doing in partnership with our Schools to make sure our young people leave
School with the skills necessary to go on to lead successful lives. There is no
doubt that education standards in Liverpool are much improved compared to a
decade or more ago, and the 17 much needed new and refurbished Schools being
delivered as part of my Mayoral pledges will make a significant difference to
teaching and learning. But we are absolutely not complacent and need to do
more, so I was pleased to show the Chief Inspector what is happening on the
ground and talk to him about the Liverpool Challenge and other projects we have
launched to drive up standards."
Assistant Mayor and Cabinet member for education, employment and skills,
Councillor Nick Small, added:- "Liverpool Schools have lots to be proud
of, but we agree with Sir Michael Wilshaw that local political leaders must
stand up and be counted and support and challenge our education system when
necessary. The visit has been a great opportunity to show him what we are doing
in Liverpool to make sure pupils get the best possible start in life, and
reiterate that we will not shy away from having an honest debate with our
education partners, locally and nationally, about the issues we face."
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