Staffordshire education chiefs vow to improve schools

In the county currently, 81 per cent schools were rated good or outstanding by Ofsted, falling below the 84 per cent national average.

It means, there will need to be a nine per cent increase in under 12 months.

Ben Adams, Staffordshire County Council's cabinet member for learning and skills, said the new target reflects the 'level of ambition' for children.

The plans were revealed in the council's corporate review committee, which was discussed at a council meeting on Tuesday.

It follows a 17 per cent increase in the number of good and outstanding schools in the past two years.

In 2013, the number of schools in Staffordshire classed as good or outstanding was 64 per cent.

Mr Adams said: "The latest figure for Staffordshire schools rated 'good' and 'outstanding' is 81 per cent - already a rise from 64 per cent two years ago.

"Setting 90 per cent as a target reflects the level of ambition that we have for children in Staffordshire, and we expect to continue to rapidly move towards it by building on our current model which supports the governors and leadership teams in schools in their efforts to improve."

He added: "The dramatic improvements of the last two years is the result of hard work in the schools and a committed approach by the county council team to holding challenging conversations with head teachers and governors about the standards within their schools and how they will be improved or maintained.

"We review performance regularly and act swiftly where necessary, commissioning high quality training and support packages for school head teachers, staff and governors from education services provider Entrust."

There are around 400 schools that are run by the county council.