Telford primary schools among the worst in Britain, says Ofsted report

Just 53 per cent of pupils are in primary schools in Telford & Wrekin which are rated as either 'good' or 'outstanding' by inspectors – the fifth worst record in the entire country.

And primary schools in Shropshire have also fared badly, with only 59 per cent rated 'good' or 'outstanding'.

Officials at Telford & Wrekin Council are disappointed, but they say the figures are misleading.

The report has been criticised by the National Union of Teachers, which said it was part of education secretary Michael Gove's effort to turn more schools into academies.

The Ofsted report comes after a tougher inspection regime was launched in September. The previous 'satisfactory' grade was replaced with a 'requires improvement' assessment.

The figures puts Shropshire Council in the bottom 25 out of 150 local authorities. Shropshire Council was 128th, with Telford & Wrekin 146th. Camden in London came top, with 92 per cent of schools in the top two categories.

In his first annual report, Ofsted chief inspector Sir Michael Wilshaw said more than two million children were still not getting a decent education.

"While some of these schools are inadequate, most are not – they are just not good enough," his report said.

"There are many reasons for this, but in our experience inconsistency or too much prescription in teaching is almost always at the root.

"I intend, from January, to use Ofsted's new regional structure to inquire further into areas that are performing badly."

Councillor Paul Watling, Telford & Wrekin Council cabinet member for children, young people and families, said: "We are dis- appointed Ofsted has chosen to publish this information in this way, which we feel gives a misleading picture to parents.

"In fact, in Telford and Wrekin we have no primary schools below Government floor standards in English and Maths and in the last five years, have had no primary schools judged 'inadequate' by Ofsted."

Currently we have one that in the 'notice to improve' category."

By Chris Burn