William Eichler 10 August 2016

Ofsted chair apologises for ‘inbred white ghetto’ comment

Ofsted’s chairman has apologised and retracted his description of the Isle of Wight as an ‘inbred, poor, white ghetto’.

David Hoare made the comments last Friday and has since contacted the leader of Isle of Wight Council Jonathan Bacon to offer his ‘unreserved apology’.

In a letter to the council and the island’s residents, Mr Hoare said: ‘I understand that some of my specific comments were offensive as well as being unfounded. For this I am truly sorry.’

He said he was attempting to ‘highlight the problem of poor educational outcomes’ in coastal communities’, particularly among low-income white British children.

However, he has since admitted the overall performance of secondary and primary schools on the island has been improving in recent years.

Cllr Bacon accepted Mr Hoare’s apology and said he was looking forward to ‘welcoming him to the island in due course.’

The councillor also emphasised the difficulties faced by the Isle of Wight.

‘If Mr Hoare had been describing an inner-city area in the terms he had there would likely be significant levels of government intervention and funding to turn around the ‘causes’ of poor educational performance,’ he said.

‘But, because the causes are less easy to define for an Island or indeed a coastal community, and because in general terms we get bracketed with the prosperous south east of England, the Isle of Wight always seems to get overlooked for the help and assistance it deserves.’

‘Nevertheless,’ he added, ‘we have delivered the needed improvements in educational performance as identified by Ofsted in 2013.’

SIGN UP
For your free daily news bulletin
Highways jobs

Makaton Tutor - Part Time / Term Time

Essex County Council
£25821.00 - £30377.00 per annum + + Pension
Makaton Tutor - Part Time / Term TimePermanent, Part Time£30,377 per annum, full time equivalent / equal to £15.74 per hour.Location
Recuriter: Essex County Council

Assistant Urban Design Intern

Essex County Council
Up to £25081.00 per annum + + 26 Days Leave & Local Gov Pension
Assistant Urban Design InternFixed Term, Full Time£25,081 per annumLocation
Recuriter: Essex County Council

Wellbeing and Independence Practitioner - Safeguarding Team

Essex County Council
£31931.00 - £36423.00 per annum + + 26 Days Leave & Local Gov Pension
Wellbeing and Independence Practitioner - ASC Centralised Safeguarding TeamFixed Term, Full Time£31,931 to £36,423 per annumLocation
Recuriter: Essex County Council

Financial Strategy Manager (Revenue)

The Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea Council
Negotiable
Bring clarity to complex decisions and help shape how we invest in our borough's future.Bring clarity to complex decisions and help shape how we inves England, London
Recuriter: The Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea Council

Team Manager - Locality

Wakefield Council
£55,979.00, Grade 13
Wakefield Children’s Services have been rated by Ofsted as GOOD with outstanding leadership. Wakefield, West Yorkshire
Recuriter: Wakefield Council
Linkedin Banner