Dorothy MacGinty, head teacher of Kilgraston School explains that the 74 independent schools in Scotland which cater for more than 30,000 UK and international pupils, employing nearly 7,500 people, generate more than £300 million a year for the Scottish economy should not be under threat.
“The government still wishes to threaten the revenue stream by removing the independent sector’s business rate tax relief. Private schools are not bastions of privilege. They are community organisations that affect all. Independent schools share their facilities free of charge with local groups. Talented art, music, drama and language teachers go to local primaries, replacing valuable experiences long lost in many maintained junior schools.
The academic success of independent pupils is something we should celebrate. Last year 93 per cent of Highers were passed; 56 per cent with an A grade. Small classes and a positive work ethic help pupils to gain entry to their chosen university. Through bursaries, they provide £51 million in fee assistance.
Why would a Scottish government wish to threaten these institutions?An 80 per cent loss of rate subsidy would leave many schools unable to share facilities and staff without cost at a time when extra-curricular provision is at a premium.
Let’s not forget local employment. A spring 2019 economic impact survey of Perthshire schools, including my own, Kilgraston, stated: “The loss of the non-monetary contributions of the sector would have a significant detrimental impact, particularly on local communities in the vicinity of schools.”
The loss of even one pupil in 30 from the independent sector would cost the Scottish taxpayer more than the rates increase proposed by the bill.
Read more at: https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/independent-school-sector-shouldnt-be-facing-this-threat-hk335xvct
Ofsted Chief Inspector repeats call for outstanding school exemption to be lifted as more schools lose top Ofsted grade
By law, outstanding primary and secondary schools are exempt from routine inspection, but they can be inspected if Ofsted has concerns about their performance.
This academic year, Ofsted has substantially increased the number of exempt outstanding schools it inspects. This is partly due to concerns about some schools having been exempt for so long that parents can no longer have confidence in their outstanding grade.
Between 1 September 2018 and 31 March 2019, Ofsted inspected 305 outstanding primary and secondary schools. This represents 8% of all exempt schools and is more than double the number inspected during the 2017 to 2018 academic year.
Given most of these inspections are carried out because the school’s performance appears to be declining, it is not surprising for a large proportion to lose the top grading. The schools inspected are not typical of all outstanding schools.
However, only 49 of 305 (16%) exempt schools inspected so far this academic year have remained outstanding, compared to 49 of 150 (33%) such schools inspected between 1 September 2017 and 31 August 2018.
Among those schools that lost the top rating, 166 were judged to be good (54%), while 76 were found to require improvement (25%) and 14 were rated inadequate (5%).
Today’s figures also show a slight drop in the overall proportion of schools judged good or outstanding at their most recent inspection; from 87% in August 2017, down to 85% at the end of March 2019. Outcomes continue to be higher for primary schools (87% good or outstanding) than secondary schools (75%).