Summit 2015: HMCI Sir Michael Wilshaw praises North East for “uniquely strong collective regional identity”
The first keynote speech at the Summit on Thursday was delivered by Sir Michael Wilshaw, Ofsted Chief Inspector.
Sir Michael spoke to over 400 Head Teachers and schools leaders from across the region, commencing by “paying heartfelt tribute to you as leaders of our education system.” He continued by saying “it is people like you who are improving the life chances of young people up and down the country.”
The highlight of Sir Michael’s message to the school leaders attending the Summit yesterday was his perfectly worded description of the North East: “This is a region that has a lot going for it. It has a uniquely strong collective regional identity and ties that bind communities together in a way you just don’t see in more fragmented places like London.
Most important of all are its people who are rightly held up as the North East’s most precious asset.”
Sir Michael praised the performance of primary schools in the North East, citing Ofsted statistics that show 91% of the region’s primaries were judged Good or Outstanding at their last inspection, well above the national average of 85%.
Her Majesty’s Chief Inspector mentioned primary schools in Redcar and Cleveland which rose from the 73rd in the country for SATs results to 18th in only a couple of years “only a tiny number of the most affluent London boroughs did better” Sir Michael quoted The Times article, adding: “the success of primary schools in Redcar and Cleveland is countering the effects of economic depression and poverty, exemplified by the recent closure of the steel plant.”
A special mention was also given to Cardinal Hume Catholic School, All Saints Academy and Outwood Academy Acklam for good practice in implementing effective strategies to ensure the attainment gaps between free school meal students and their peers is minimal.
Addressing the performance of secondary schools in the region, Sir Michael brought up the attainment gap of more than 30% in five Local Authorities in the North East: “it would be defeatist to think they are somehow pre-destined to do less well than their peers in other parts of the country”, later on adding that political backing both nationally and locally is also an important ingredient in driving up standards.”
Sir Michael ended his speech by promising his continued support, stating his beliefs that our schools are well placed to overcome challenges with the right backing from politicians and from the world of business and commerce.
You can read Her Majesty’s Chief Inspector’s full speech here.