Teaching in some schools “has to improve”, the head of Ofsted in the Midlands has warned.

Anne Pitt, midlands divisional manager of the Government inspectorate, said too many schools were “coasting”, and needed to focus on improving the quality of teaching and lesson planning.

Her comments came as the watchdog released its annual report, which raised concerns that teaching in two fifths of schools nationwide is not good enough, claiming some pupils are subjected to unproductive and dull lessons.

Ofsted also revealed how many West Midlands schools were rated outstanding following inspection visits in 2010-11, with the report claiming that too many schools remained “stubbornly” satisfactory, with little prospect of improvement.

A total of 108 Birmingham and Solihull schools received Ofsted visits between 2010-11, with 11 given the top rating of outstanding and 10 deemed inadequate – the lowest mark.

Ms Pitt said: “Birmingham and Solihull is in line with the rest of the country, but we should not be complacent.

“One of the things our annual report has found is that pupils living in deprived areas are more likely to go to a satisfactory or inadequate school, but we have some very good examples of schools that are doing very well in some of the most deprived areas.

“As the report points out, too many schools are satisfactory, and very often in such schools the teaching is too variable. There may be some outstanding teaching, but others may need to plan more preciously to make sure the work is challenging, but not too difficult, and having senior management galvanising the staff.”

Of the 13 Birmingham and secondary schools that underwent an inspection during the period covered in the report, no school was given the top rating, with eight rated good, four satisfactory and one, Moseley School, deemed inadequate.

Five primary schools were judged oustanding, along with two pupil referral units and four special schools.

Among those to be singled out for praise in the Ofsted report was the Pines School in Castle Bromwich, which works with children with special education needs.

Head teacher Susan Brandwood said she was “delighted” the school was included in the report after being rated as outstanding for the second time following an inspection in September last year.

She said: “Recognition as an outstanding school has increased the self-esteem of our dedicated staff and the trust and confidence of families in our work with their children, and raised awareness among other schools as to how we can support them.”

TABLES

Primary Schools

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