London's 55 failing schools (From This Is Local London)

London's 55 failing schools

6:01pm Tuesday 17th May 2005 in

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London has the highest proportion of failing schools in England, a new report reveals.

The education watchdog Ofsted has placed 55 schools in the capital under special measures in the last academic year.

These include 32 primary, 18 secondary, three referral units and two special schools representing 2.3 per cent of the schools in the region.

In comparison, only 0.6 per cent of schools in the North East were subject to special measures.

But in the tables were turned in the category of schools with "serious weaknesses". At 1.3 per cent London had the second lowest proportion of such schools by the end of last year, while the North East was the worst performer with 1.8 per cent.

A spokesman of the Department for Education and Skills commented: "The figures quoted are for the end of academic year 2003/04. Since then the number of London schools in special measures has fallen sharply - for example, from 18 to 12 secondaries.

"So significantly fewer London schools are now in special measures."

In the first term of this year, inspectors have closed seven failing schools across England, including one secondary and six primary schools.

Yet Ofsted's termly report also shows that the total number of struggling schools went down in the last four months.

Underachieving schools decreased from 71 to 60; those subject to special measures from 314 to 285 and those with serious weaknesses from 302 to 295.

The Chief Inspector of Schools in England, David Bell, said he was "pleased" with the decline. "I applaud the pupils, teachers and governors in these schools for their hard work and determination."

The education department spokesman said: "The inspection system has raised the bar with tougher criteria and we welcome the downward trend for the numbers of schools in special measures."