North East secondary schools 'worst performing' in the country, OFSTED finds

Secondary schools in the North East have been rated as the 'worst-performing' in the country.

OFSTED's annual report shows fewer schools in our region are rated as good or outstanding.

Here's more of a regional breakdown:

For primary schools, 90% in the North East were judged to be good or outstanding, the same as in 2018.

  • In North Tyneside, 95% of inspected primary schools were judged good or outstanding compared with 83% in Darlington.

  • Hartlepool had the highest rate of improvement across the region

  • In Durham, the proportion of good or outstanding schools declined by 4 percentage points, compared with 2018.

For secondary schools, 58% in the North East were judged to be good or outstanding, the same as in 2018.

  • In Stockton-on-Tees, 77% of inspected secondary schools were judged good or outstanding compared with 30% in Redcar and Cleveland.

  • Gateshead had the highest rate of improvement across the region.

  • In South Tyneside and Sunderland, the proportion of good or outstanding schools declined by 11 percentage points compared with 2018.

OFSTED's annual report shows fewer schools in our region are rated as good or outstanding. Credit: PA

The regional network of head teachers, Schools North East, says it is helping tackle underlying issues.

A study by the Social Mobility Commission released on the same day as OFTSED's report, found that less than a third of people living in the North East thought there were good opportunities for them to do well in their region.

It contrasts dramatically with the South East, where more than double the amount of people – 74% – felt there were good avenues to success in their location.