HUNDREDS of schools are stuck in a cycle of poor performance, according to an Ofsted report published today.

The new report, titled In Fight or Flight? How “Stuck” Schools Are Overcoming Isolation, has said that 415 schools – attended by 210,000 pupils – are being failed by the system.

Ofsted defines “stuck” schools as ones that have not received a “good” or “improved” rating since September 2006.

The affected schools are overwhelmingly in deprived towns and smaller cities, the regulator found. The three areas that have the highest proportion of “stuck” schools are Derby, Southend-on-Sea and Darlington.

Schools said that they struggle with issues related to pupil isolation, parental motivation, as well as the disruption caused by pupil populations that regularly change.

NEU joint general secretary Mary Bousted acknowledged that Ofsted “identifies the problem” of failing schools, but said that the regulator “persistently and resolutely fails to recognise its own role in creating the problem.”

She said: “Fear of Ofsted is a key factor in school-leader and teacher flight from these schools.

“Ofsted judgements routinely fail to recognise the work of schools in challenging areas with deprived pupil intakes.

“Even when these schools are doing well in terms of pupil progress, Ofsted disproportionately and unfairly awards them negative grades which can end teacher and school-leader careers.

“Far from being a force for educational improvement in the areas that need it most, Ofsted is, unfortunately, part of the problem, not the solution.”

Ofsted said that other schools were able to improve by focusing on improving academic standards, improving pupil behaviour and strengthening governance.