One in six Nottinghamshire pupils attend top-rated state schools

The figures come as the Association of School and College Leaders criticised the Ofsted system, warning schools deemed to be failing are destined to lose out on much-needed funds.

Department for Education data shows 17.25 per cent of the 129,073 children in Nottinghamshire attended schools rated outstanding by education watchdog Ofsted in 2021-22.

There were 2,716 pupils, 2.1 per cent, in Nottinghamshire attending schools rated inadequate, Ofsted's lowest score.

When a school is rated inadequate, it is placed in a “category of concern” and required to become a sponsored academy, with another school trust.

A further 71.22 per cent of children attended good schools, while 9.02 per cent were at schools deemed to require improvement.

Ofsted inspectors visit every primary and secondary school about every four years and will give it one of four possible ratings – outstanding, good, requires improvement or inadequate.

Across England, 18 per cent of pupils attended outstanding schools in the 2021-22 academic year, the most recent year data is available for.

Meanwhile, 69 per cent were at good schools, 10 per cent at ones requiring improvement and 2 per cent at inadequate schools.

Geoff Barton, ASCL general secretary, said the current Ofsted system led to the “ridiculous” situation where property prices are affected by a school's result, making it harder for poorer families to live near the best schools.

He said: “We all want great schools for our children. The question is how we achieve that and the problem with the current system is Ofsted ratings are counter-productive.

“Once deemed requires improvement or inadequate, it’s the devil’s own job to escape that, because it’s harder to recruit staff and your pupil roll – and hence funding – falls.

“The system has to change so inspection outcomes are more nuanced, supportive and genuinely aid improvement where it is needed.”

A DfE spokesman said: “Parents rightly want to know how their child’s school is doing and I fully support our approach to providing a clear rating to inform their decisions.

“Ofsted has been central to our success in driving up school standards, with 88 per cent of our schools now rated good or outstanding, up from 68 per cent when this Government came into office.”