ONLY two of the eight primary schools in the borough inspected by Ofsted this academic year are 'good', according to recently published reports – and none are 'outstanding'.
The news comes after the Department for Education (DfE) released statistics that revealed only 56 per cent of children in the area attended primary schools rated 'good' or 'outstanding', which ranked North East Lincolnshire 14th from bottom in a table of 150 local authorities.
Since September, Ofsted has published eight reports on primary schools inspected, out of the 44 in the borough, and has judged two as 'good': Laceby Acres Primary School and Western Primary School.
Six schools, also inspected this year, have been placed in the 'requires improvement' category – which was called 'satisfactory' until new framework was introduced this year – and none were rated 'outstanding'.
Jack Blackmore, strategic director for people for North East Lincolnshire Council (NELC), said that schools are improving, with 75 per cent of students getting a level four grade in English and maths in 2012 – a rise of five per cent on the previous year.
Mr Blackmore added: "With almost the stroke of a pen, what was once "satisfactory", which sounds good enough, has become "requires improvement", which is not good enough – but Ofsted are right to be critical of what schools can be doing better.
"Our primaries are trying to improve against a changing landscape of rising standards – but, with our partners at Serco, we are already improving.
"We recognise that a number of schools face significant challenges but having visited many fantastic schools in our area, I am positive about us being able to raise standards."
Both Laceby Acres and Western have made an improvement on previous reports which gave them 'satisfactory' ratings – now 'requires improvement'.
Kim Leach, headteacher at Western Primary School, said: "Ofsted inspections are a lot more in-depth so it is harder than ever to maintain your rating, let alone improve it.
"The staff and pupils have worked really hard for this and many parents travel some distance to bring their children here, which was mentioned in the report."
Sharon Clapson, headteacher at Laceby Acres, said the result reflected the hard work of children and parents and that the school would continue to improve until it gets an 'outstanding' rating.
As reported, Welholme Primary, Springfield Primary, Coomb Briggs Primary and Reynolds Primary were put in the 'requires improvement' category in reports published in November.
Since then, reports for Grange Primary School and William Barcroft Junior School have been published, placing them in the same category.
