MOST of the pupils in Hampshire are being given an “outstanding” or “good” education, it has been revealed.

Figures published by Ofsted show that 92% of primary schools and 90% of secondary schools in Hampshire were rated good or outstanding by Ofsted inspectors between 2018 and August  2019.

The figures have improved since 2017/18 when 91% of primary and 85% of secondary schools were given the two top grades by watchdogs.

Figures have also gone up for schools in Southampton with education bosses welcoming the news.

But the numbers for schools in the city remain  below national figures.

According to the Ofsted annual report published today (Jan 21)  87% of primary schools and 76% of secondary schools in England received the two top grades between 2018/19.

The document showed that over the same period of time 83% of primary schools in Southampton and 75% of secondary schools in the city were rated  good or outstanding in their Ofsted report.

But the numbers for schools in the city are higher than those referring to 2017/18 when 80% of primary and 75% of secondary schools had an outstanding or good Ofsted report.

Cllr Darren Paffey, cabinet member for aspiration, schools and lifelong learning at Southamptin City Council, said this is “another great step in the right direction”.

He added: “Year on year, 83% of Southampton’s primary schools are now rated good or outstanding, compared to last year’s figure of 80%, making them among the most improved in the south east. Our secondary schools have maintained the same rating and are attaining the national level.”

He praised the work done in Southampton  schools and added: “The council is supporting our schools and also challenging them when improvements are needed. This is a fantastic achievement and we recognise that there’s more work to do, but we’re confident we will see further progression in academic standards in the coming years.”

The data also revealed that 65% of children in England reached the expected standards in key stage 2 in reading, writing and maths.

But while figures were higher for Hampshire with 67% of students reaching the required standards, they were slightly lower in Southampton with 62% of pupils achieving the expected grades.

Cllr Roz Chadd, executive member for education and skills at Hampshire County Council, said: “Staff in Hampshire’s family of schools work very hard to uphold consistently high standards in education, taking on the challenges of changes to the curriculum and performance measures by the Government and in the way Ofsted carries out its inspections. Subject specialists and school improvement officers at the County Council support Hampshire schools in this regard. Headteachers will often comment how much they value this expertise and support. We are extremely proud of our schools and the successes that they help pupils to achieve, outperforming their peers nationally at all key stages of their education.”

 The county council’s Children Services were also rated outstanding last year. 

Overall, 90% of schools in the South East were judged good or outstanding at their most recent inspection, compared with 86% nationally, an improvement since August 2018.

By the end of August 2019, 88% of further education  providers in the South East were judged good or outstanding, above the national proportion of 81%.

Chris Russell, Ofsted director for the South East, said: “Overall, the South East is a good place to be a child. Nine out of ten schools are judged to be good or better, and it’s great to see the proportion of good and outstanding secondary schools rising. Those pupils are well-placed to go onto further education if they choose to do so. The South East performs better than England when it comes to further education colleges and skills providers.”