Secondary schools twice as likely to be rated under-performing by Ofsted, study finds

Secondary schools are almost twice as likely to be under-performing than primaries, according to new research.

More than one in four secondaries, 904 in total, could be considered to be performing below expectations, compared with just one in seven primary schools. 

The research, published today by the National Foundation for Educational Research (NFER), also reveals that there are sizable disparities according to where schools are based in the country.

More than 534 state primaries and secondaries are in need of attention in the East Midlands and Humber, around 21.2 per cent of all schools in the regions, while 16.5 per cent of schools in Lancashire and West Yorkshire are also thought to be a concern.

In contrast in North of England has just 275 underperforming school, the lowest as compared with all other region.

School

were considered underperform if they were judged by Ofsted to be inadequate improvement. If they fell below the governments floor’s standards.

The NFER said the disparities could undermine the efforts of regional school commissioners (RSCs) - charged with improving schools in the area - to turnaround poor performers. 

The report claims that there are 573 schools that are in "immediate need" of attention, meaning they are rated as either inadequate or requiring improvement by inspectors or below Government standards.