NUT: League tables, by their very nature, will always put some schools at the top and some at the bottom

Friday, 27 January 2012 8:57 AM

Commenting on the 2011 Schools Performance Tables published today, Christine Blower, General Secretary of the National Union of Teachers, the largest teachers’ union, said:

“League tables do not give a genuine reflection of the achievements of head teachers, teachers or pupils. What they do show is that league tables, by their very nature, will always put some schools at the top and some at the bottom.

“The NUT has long highlighted the problem of some schools focusing on the results of borderline C-grade children, but the new system will simply swap one crude measure for another.

“Although the Government claims the new information about GCSE results will measure progress for children from the highest to the lowest attaining, the league table system is still flawed and will still create a situation in which schools are concentrating on results rather than on providing the broad and balanced education to which every child is entitled.

“The social inequalities with which children start school, widens as they progress through their education. Instead of focusing on changing school structures and on the pointless naming and shaming of schools, the Government should be ensuring that all schools have the resources and support they need for all pupils to reach their full potential. This is a matter of social justice and equity.”

                                                            END pr11-2012
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