Figures expose wealth gap in standards across schools

There are several outstanding schools in Portsmouth, figures show, as new analysis exposes the gulf in school standards between the richest and poorest areas.

The Liberal Democrats said the Conservatives “have let our children down” after slashing funding to schools across England.

Analysis by the PA Radar data group of Ofsted figures shows a significant disparity between the number of inadequate schools in the poorest and richest areas.

In the South East, 485 schools were rated outstanding as of December 31

– including five in Portsmouth.

The figures also show the extent of deprivation in the neighbourhoods where schools are located.

Some 19 per cent of the 1,182 schools in the wealthiest 20 per cent of areas were rated outstanding, compared to just 9 per cent of those in the most deprived places. There was a reverse trend for inadequate schools, with 1 per cent of the schools in the wealthiest rated as inadequate, compared to 4 per cent of those in the poorest.

Munira Wilson MP, Lib Dem education spokesperson, said: “Every child deserves a great education, no matter what their background is.

“Parents should not have to send their children to schools which have had their funding decimated by a Conservative Government that has lost interest in providing highquality education.”

Ms Wilson said school trips are being axed, teaching assistants laid off and classroom repairs ignored due to a lack of funding.

She added: “Far from preparing the next generation for the future, ministers have totally abandoned them.”