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Press release: Birmingham hosts celebration for outstanding schools recognised by Ofsted Chief Inspector

Birmingham played host to 220 headteachers in a celebratory event organised by Ofsted to recognise outstanding schools in England yesterday (Tuesday 2 March 2010).

The event, at Botanical Gardens, was hosted by Christine Gilbert, Her Majesty’s Chief Inspector of Education, Children’s Services and Skills, Ofsted. It was attended by headteachers from 20 of Birmingham’s 35 outstanding schools, three from Wolverhampton’s four outstanding schools, and eight out of Solihull’s 13 schools. Just 19 per cent (1,321) of schools are awarded an outstanding grade in their Ofsted inspection .

The Chief Inspector praised the top schools who have earned themselves a place in the annual list of outstanding providers published by Ofsted. Everyone on the list has shown an excellent quality of care, support and education to meet the needs of children, and young people.

There are 4,020 schools, colleges, childcare and social care providers in England judged to be outstanding in 2008-2009 – over 1,000 more than the previous year.

Christine Gilbert, Her Majesty’s Chief Inspector of Education, Children’s Services and Skills, Ofsted, said: 'I wholeheartedly congratulate Birmingham, Wolverhampton and Solihull’s outstanding schools on their success and hard work in delivering such high standards. Excellence does not happen by chance, these providers have a real drive to inspire, challenge, and support children, and young people. But there is no reason why everyone can’t be outstanding, I hope they will be a source of inspiration to others.'

All those who appear on the Outstanding Providers list 2008/09 receive commemorative certificates and are authorised to use an exclusive Outstanding Provider logo.

Notes For Editors

1. For further information on schools on the Outstanding Providers list, please follow the link: www.ofsted.gov.uk/outstanding.

2. For information about the Ofsted inspection policy and protocol, please follow the link: http://www.ofsted.gov.uk/Ofsted-home/Forms-and-guidance/Browse-all-by/Other/General/School-inspection-policies-and-protocols/(language)/eng-GB.

3. The Office for Standards in Education, Children's Services and Skills (Ofsted) regulates and inspects to achieve excellence in the care of children and young people, and in education and skills for learners of all ages. It regulates and inspects childcare and children's social care, and inspects the Children and Family Court Advisory Support Service (Cafcass), schools, colleges, initial teacher training, work-based learning and skills training, adult and community learning, and education and training in prisons and other secure establishments. It assesses council children’s services, and inspects services for looked after children, safeguarding and child protection.

4. The Ofsted national press office can be reached on 0300 123 1231. Alternatively, please email pressenquiries@ofsted.gov.uk.

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