THE annual report by schools governing body Ofsted says there is "still much to be done" to improve schools in Yorkshire, with Bradford in particular having too few children attending 'good' schools.

Ofsted chief inspector Sir Michael Wilshaw today released his Annual Report for 2015/16, which gives a state of the nation picture of the performance of nurseries, schools, colleges and further education and skills providers in England.

It shows that while three quarters of Bradford's primary schools are "good" or better, and are improving faster than in many other areas of the country, fewer than half of the district's secondary age pupils go to a school the inspection body judges to be good.

The report shows that in Bradford 76 per cent of children attend a primary school rated good or outstanding, up nine per cent from last year.

However, just 44 per cent of secondary school age pupils attend a school that is good or outstanding.

Although this is an improvement of two per cent on last year, Bradford still ranked as the lowest authority in Yorkshire, the Humber and the North East for this criteria, and lies in the bottom five local authorities nationally.

The report also reveals that 53 per cent of secondary school pupils in Bradford are taught in academy schools, compared to 16 per cent of pupils in primary schools.

The report singles out some Bradford schools or education providers that have gone from good to outstanding in the past year, including Bankfoot Primary School, Canterbury Nursery School and Centre for Children and Families, Dixons Music Primary and Farnham Primary School.

Commenting on the region’s education performance, Cathryn Kirby, Regional Director, North East Yorkshire and Humber, said: "I am cautiously optimistic about the performance of schools in the area. But I know there are still significant challenges ahead.

"Many children attend a good primary school only to go on to a secondary school that could be better.

"It is clear that within the context of a mixed picture, there is much to celebrate in the North East, Yorkshire and Humber. Many school leaders and teachers can be rightly proud of their hard work and professionalism.

"But I am well aware, as we approach 2017, that much has still to be done."

Bradford Council’s Executive Member for Education, Employment and Skills, Councillor Imran Khan, said: “We want all Bradford pupils to attend a school that is good or better and we are providing challenge and support to schools across the district to achieve this.

“We know there is work to do but today’s Ofsted report shows we are making clear progress.

“Bradford has seen one of the biggest increases in the proportion of good schools in Yorkshire and the North East in the past 12 months. We of course want that figure to continue rising and we are confident that it will.

“Of the 49 schools in Bradford that were found to require improvement by Ofsted at their last inspection more than half of these have improved to be rated as good or better.

“Improving the results and life chances of Bradford’s young people is the district’s top priority.”

Councillor Debbie Davies, Conservative spokesman for education, said: "There seems to be a gradual improvement, but the problem is if we don't keep up with national levels.

"Some of our primary schools do get fantastic results, and it shows schools can improve with the right heads."

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