THERE were fewer primary schools rated good and outstanding in Worcestershire than the national average across the country.

Ofsted’s official statistics showed 83 per cent of primary schools were rated good or outstanding last year - fewer than the country’s national average of 87 per cent.

But Worcestershire secondary schools are doing better than average, according to the latest report from the education watchdog.

In the county 84 per cent of secondary schools were good or outstanding - in comparison to just 76 per cent of schools in England.

The figures were revealed in Ofsted’s annual report for 2018/2019 which gives a state of the performance of primary and secondary schools in England and a breakdown of the different counties.

They also showed a lower proportion of pupils left Worcestershire’s primary schools at the end of key stage 2 having reached the expected standard than the national average.

For reading, writing and maths, 62 per cent of pupils reached the expected standard in key stage 2, below the 65 per cent of pupils nationally who achieved the expected standard.

Kate Brunt, head of The Rivers Trust, which runs eleven primary schools, said: “I don’t know why primary Worcestershire schools are below the national average.

“In terms of the national standard, I know Worcestershire schools receive lower funding and this is something that can cause an impact.

“We have got a large amount of small rural schools in Worcestershire where teachers can’t get extra training because their budget doesn’t allow that.”

However, Lindsey Cooke, headteacher from Hanley Castle High School, welcomed the secondary school results.

She said: “It is brilliant to see the hard work of the teachers and students of Worcestershire schools recognised in this way by Ofsted - particularly as the level of funding schools receive is well below the national average.

“Hopefully, with the introduction of a national funding formula we will be able to do even better in the future and offer our children an even wider range of opportunities and experiences.

“My understanding, however, is that the increase in funding we expect for next September will be less than 2%, which will be a cut in real terms once inflation is factored in.”

Councillor Marcus Hart, cabinet member with responsibility for education and skills, said: “Whilst our secondary schools are performing considerably above national average, the gap for Worcestershire primary schools is beginning to close, with 84 per cent now judged good or better.

“We work closely with our maintained schools in supporting them to sustain and improve their overall effectiveness and reach and exceed the national average across all school phases.

“Over the last three years, the gap in attainment and progress is also closing. There is a wide range of training and support to primary phase settings and we continue to work to ensure all pupils get the best start to their schooling and are ready for the move to secondary school.”