Number of failing schools in England rises a fifth

The number of schools in England deemed to be failing at the end of last term rose by almost a fifth compared with 2006, the official schools inspection agency Ofsted reported today, September 28, 2007. The 18% rise can be partly explained by a sharp increase in the number of inspections, but ministers also said it reflected an “uncompromising approach” toward underperforming schools. the end of the summer term this year, 246 schools were in special measures—the most serious category of concern for Ofsted, up from 208 at the same time last year. Read about the concerns at Guardian Unlimited.