COMMENT: Top schools deserve pat on the back (From Worcester News)

COMMENT: Top schools deserve pat on the back

7:10am Wednesday 25th November 2009 in

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THE standard of education in this country gets plenty of criticism. But it is important to give praise where it is due.

That is what we are doing today in our coverage of Ofsted’s annual report which highlights 12 schools and more than 40 childcare establishments rated as outstanding by inspectors.

These schools are the best of the best in Britain.

It is wonderful that so many of them are in our county.

Their success is a tribute to every teacher, every governor, every pupil and every parent involved with each school.

These schools do not accept second best.

They make it their business to achieve excellence. First and foremost, they help children to fulfil their potential.

Their success and the praise heaped on them by school inspectors is not just based on academic achievement.

The success of a school should not be judged solely on exam results.

Helping pupils to achieve as many qualifications as possible is, of course, important – but so is producing rounded individuals with the social skills to succeed in the adult world.

Not every school in our area or the country as a whole is rated as highly as those we feature today.

Many are striving to reach the heady heights of the dozen outstanding schools in the county. But some are not doing enough.

They have to learn from the best and adopt their commitment to excellence and to giving every child a chance to succeed.