Fewer Peterborough primary schools rated as good or outstanding in 2017 - but it is good news for secondary schools

A new report by Ofsted looking at the state of schools across the East of England has revealed 88 per cent of primary schools in the city have one of the top two Ofsted grades, compared to 92 per cent last year. The mark is below the average for England and for the East of England, and places the city ninth out of 11.

For secondary schools, the percentage of schools scoring top marks has risen from 92 per cent to 100 per cent, leaving the city top of the tables for the East of England, and 21 per cent above the national average.

Provisional attainment tables reveal the city is bottom of the league in the East of England, with 51 per cent of primary school pupils reaching the expected standard in Key Stage 2 - the national average for state funded schools is 61 per cent. The city is also bottom of the tables for reading and maths.

Nationally, only Salford is below Peterborough for Key Stage 2 achievement.

North West Cambridgeshire MP Shailesh Vara said: “It is good to see that all secondary schools in Peterborough have been rated as either good or outstanding by Ofsted but it is a matter of concern that the number of primary schools rated as such has fallen by 4%.

“It is also concerning that standards have reduced in other areas as well.

“It really is time to dispense with the excuses and what parents really want to know is what is being done to improve schools where they are failing.”

Ofsted East of England Director, Paul Brooker said: “From the youngest children to those of school age, the East of England overall serves its children well. Inspection outcomes for childminders, nurseries and pre- schools are positive; the proportion judged good or outstanding is at or above the national figures.

“Nine out of 10 primary schools in the region have been judged to be good or outstanding. And the majority of our 11 authorities in the region are at or above the national figure for the proportion of primary schools rated good or better.

“At secondary level, all local authorities bar Suffolk, are at or above the national level for the proportion that are rated at least good.

“I am really pleased to see the marked improvements made by Cambridgeshire’s secondary schools. The proportion of secondary schools judged good and

outstanding have increased by 20 percentage points. This is a sterling achievement and down to the hard work of senior leaders, teachers and pupils.

“This year’s annual reports shows that there is cause for celebration. There are some key positives in the region, particularly for young children and school-age pupils. “Ofsted inspections is a force for improvement and I am determined to make sure that outcomes for young people and learners improve as we approach 2018.”

Peterborough MP Fiona Onasanya has not yet responded to the Peterborough Telegraph’s questions over the report.