Intervening in failing, underperforming and coasting schools: Response to consultation

08 January 2016

Between October and December 2015 the Department for Education held a consultation on intervening in failing, underperforming and coasting schools. This document is NFER’s response.

The consultation followed the publication of a draft proposal to address underperformance in local-authority-maintained schools. The consultation sought views on revised guidance on schools causing concern, including how maintained schools which are eligible for intervention are defined and how the powers of intervention available to Regional Schools Commissioners and local authorities should be used.

Our response addresses the following issues.

• The principles underlying a definition of ‘coasting’ and circumstances where this should be applied
• The approach and process related to the actions that should be taken in schools that meet the coasting definition
• Additional factors that support school improvement that Regional Schools Commissioners may wish to consider in determining the course of action for schools within the coasting definition.