The UK Government has announced a new strategy aimed at addressing the challenges faced by ‘stuck’ schools—those that have consistently received poor Ofsted ratings. Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson outlined the initiative on 3 February 2025, highlighting the government’s commitment to ensuring every child receives a high-quality education, regardless of their background.
A Stronger, Faster Approach to School Improvement
With more than 600 schools in England categorised as ‘stuck,’ affecting over 300,000 students, the government is prioritising a faster and more effective intervention strategy. These schools have historically underperformed, with students leaving primary school 14 percentage points behind their peers and achieving, on average, a grade lower per subject at secondary level.
To combat this, the government is investing an initial £20 million into new regional improvement teams known as RISE (Regional Improvement and Support for Education) teams. These teams will work directly with schools to create tailored improvement plans, offering up to £100,000 in specialist support per school—far exceeding the previous grant of £6,000.
Holding Schools to Higher Standards
Bridget Phillipson emphasized the importance of high expectations and stronger accountability, stating:
"Stuck schools are the new front in the fight against low expectations. I will not accept a system that is content for some to sink, even while others soar. The opportunity to succeed must be the right of every child."
The government plans to double the number of schools that receive mandatory intervention, including structural changes such as academy conversions or joining strong multi-academy trusts. Schools facing serious performance concerns will also be closely monitored to ensure progress.
Support from Educational Leaders
The reforms have been welcomed by education leaders across the sector. Leora Cruddas, CEO of the Confederation of School Trusts, stressed the need for a system that promotes both excellence and inclusion, while Sir Hamid Patel, CEO of Star Academies, highlighted the entrenched disadvantage gap as a national crisis requiring urgent action.
Jon Coles, CEO of United Learning, echoed the sentiment, stating that "turning around schools which are not doing a good enough job for children is a critical priority for our school system." Meanwhile, Parentkind CEO Jason Elsom emphasized the importance of parental engagement in ensuring high standards.
New Ofsted Report Cards for Greater Transparency
In addition to the intervention measures, Ofsted will introduce new school report cards this autumn. These will evaluate schools across nine separate areas, grading them from ‘exemplary’ to ‘causing concern.’ This new system aims to provide parents with more comprehensive insights into school performance and hold institutions to higher standards.