More and more children in Halton are in good or outstanding schools, according a national report.

Halton’s schools yet again outperform many key indicators with the percentages of children in the top categories increasing again in 2016 and showing significant rises in the last four years.

The borough does better than a number of neighbouring local authorities and in some instances, against national outcomes, according to today’s Ofsted Annual Report 2015/16: Education, Early Years and Skills

Ninety-five percent of primary school pupils were in good or outstanding schools in 2016, a rise of four per cent on the previous year and a huge 20 per cent since 2012. The North West average is 93 and the national average 90.

This compared with 94 per cent of Cheshire West and Chester schools, 91 per cent of Knowsley’s, 91 per cent of Seftons and 91 per cent of Liverpool’s.

Seventy-one per cent of secondary schools were in the same categories, an increase of one per cent, a rise of 11 per cent in the last four years.

This compared with 68 per cent of St Helens, 60 per cent of Warringtons and just 48 per cent of children in Liverpool.

Halton Borough Council’s Strategic Director for People, Mil Vasic, said: “It is pleasing the hard work of staff in schools and in the Council has led to more schools being judged to be good or outstanding and it is something to celebrate.

“As we know the two biggest influences on a child’s life is their family and education. We are, therefore, not complacent and the Council is determined to continue to support our schools and their educational partnerships

“Our aim is to ensure every school is good or outstanding and that every child is inspired to love learning and achieve.”

Halton Borough Council’s Executive Board Member for Children, Young People and Families, Cllr Tom McInerney, said: “Halton is very ambitious in its expectations for children and young people continues to provide support for schools on their journey to good and outstanding.”

“We have many excellent leaders in Halton schools who are not only working to improve standards in their own schools but many are also supporting school improvement in other schools in the borough.”