High Ofsted rating for schools in York (From York Press)

High Ofsted rating for schools in York

8:45am Wednesday 28th November 2012 in News By Kate Liptrot, kate.liptrot@thepress.co.uk

YORK has the highest proportion of children in good or outstanding secondary schools in all of Yorkshire and the Humber, according to Ofsted.

Seventy-seven per cent of children in York and 70 per cent in North Yorkshire attend good or outstanding secondary schools, ranking the authorities at first and third place in the region.

In terms of primary schools, 68 per cent of primary school children attend a good or outstanding school in North Yorkshire and 64 per cent in York, putting the authorities at fourth and ninth place regionally in the schools watchdog’s annual report.

However, the East Riding of Yorkshire has not fared as well – ranked second last for the number of primary schools children in good or outstanding schools with 55 per cent and third from last with secondary schools, with 42 per cent.

Ofsted’s report, highlights a disparity in access in different parts of the country and between children from disadvantaged and more affluent backgrounds. The report finds “huge variations” in the quality of education and learning across local authority areas and across regions.

In York, Oftsted praised Ralph Butterfield School in Haxby, which it said is an outstanding school judged to be in a disadvantaged area and is considered to have exemplary leadership and attainment. Ryedale School, another outstanding school, was singled out for praise for academic excellence and attainment.

The figures have been released as a new regional director for Yorkshire and the Humber has been announced. Nick Hudson is one of eight regional directors tasked with tackling underperforming schools and colleges. Sir Michael Wilshaw, Ofsted’s chief inspector, said: “We have found huge variations in the performance of schools across different local authority areas.

“If we aspire, as a nation, to move to a world-leading system, we have to reduce these serious inequities across the country.

“The eight regional directors will be my voice in the regions. They will challenge and support in equal measure and will not walk away from the institutions we inspect until they improve.”

The report found 53 per cent of the most deprived pupils go to good or outstanding schools in Yorkshire and the Humber compared with 60 per cent in England.

The best performing council for primary schools is Camden, the worst is Coventry. The best for secondary schools is Trafford and the worst, Barnsley.