THE number of good and outstanding schools in Bolton has fallen, according to new figures.

But the borough is among the best in the North West for the number of schools being marked at the top grades. In Bolton, 94 per cent of primary school are judged good or outstanding by Ofsted, a fall of two percentage points from August 31 last year. For secondary schools, 79 per cent received the top grades, a fall of three percentage points.

The Ofsted report reveals the number of Bolton’s primary schools to achieve the number one or two rating was above the national average of 90 per cent and the North West average of 92 per cent, placing it sixth best out of 23 authorities.

The percentage of secondary schools marked as good or outstanding was in line with the national average and above the North West average of 71 per cent.

Bolton’s secondary schools fared badly when judged on the provisional GCSE results. According to Ofsted only 38.4 per cent achieved top grades in English and maths placing it 17th out of 23 authorities across the North West. Nationally an average of 42.4 per cent of teenagers achieved the grade in English and maths.

A Bolton Council spokesman said: “While percentages have dipped slightly, overall Bolton is still performing well. We have already made great improvements in our primary schools over recent years and they are continuing to improve and perform very strongly. The Ofsted inspections place them above both the national and North West results. With secondary schools, we are pleased that the percentage marked as good or outstanding is well above the North West average and in line with the national results. The way GCSEs are measured has changed and we know that schools are working extremely hard to respond to the changes and help pupils to achieve better outcomes. The council and all our schools in Bolton are working in partnership to ensure that the young people of our borough are able to make the most of their educational opportunities.”

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