SCHOOLS in Worcestershire are performing above regional and national averages despite the county being among the worst funded in the country.

Ofsted’s annual report has revealed 68 per cent of primary schools were rated good and above as of August 31 this year, compared with the West Midlands average of 61 per cent and the national figure of 60 per cent.

At secondary school level, 68 per cent of schools in the county achieved good and above compared with an average 66 per cent in the West Midlands and 66 per cent nationally.

However, learning and skills providers, such as colleges and sixth forms, are well below the regional and national averages of 57 per cent and 64 per cent respectively, with 33 per cent in Worcestershire achieving good ratings.

The figures are available from Ofsted’s new Data View service which allows parents to compare the performance of educational establishments at national, regional, local authority and constituency level. The schools watchdog also launched a recruitment drive for its new regional director posts.

From January, the directors will be in charge of driving up standards and tackling underperformance at a regional level. John Edwards, Worcestershire County Council’s head of learning and achievement, said: “Improving educational outcomes for all pupils is central to the support and challenge we provide for schools in Worcestershire.

“We look forward to taking time over the next few days to read the Ofsted national report in detail.

“We are aware the new Ofsted regional directors, including director for the Midlands region Martin Coffey, will be taking up responsibility shortly, and await details concerning how they will work with schools and authorities.”

With the figures broken down into parliamentary constituencies, 95 per cent of primary schools in Worc-ester achieved good and above Ofsted reports, as did 60 per cent of secondary schools and 50 per cent of learning and skills providers.

In Mid-Worcestershire, which includes Evesham and Droitwich, 71 per cent of primary schools were graded good and above, 84 per cent of secondary schools and all learning and skills providers were rated satisfactory.

Nearly three-quarters, or 74 per cent, of primary schools in West Worcestershire, which includes Mal-vern, received good or above at the time the figures were compiled, while 71 per cent of secondary schools achi-eved the standard. There was no data for learning and skills providers in this area.