THE latest Ofsted inspections reveal that 82 per cent of Halton schools are now judged to be good or outstanding.

Halton Council has welcomed this as a fantastic achievement compared to 79 per of schools nationally currently meeting this standard.

Several schools that were previously in special measures or requiring improvement have recently been judged as good, with some areas of provision hailed as outstanding.

Halton Clr Ged Philbin, board member for children, young people and families, said: "I would like to thank and congratulate our school staff, governors, children, parents, carers and their communities, and also the local authority’s school improvement department for their commitment to raising standards in Halton.

“I look forward to further successes in the next academic year."

The council’s ambition is that all children in Halton attend a good school, and it will continue to provide the support and challenge required to achieve this goal.

In addition to the work of council officers, the council uses a model of school-to-school support where high-achieving schools provide support to raise standards in neighbouring schools.

High quality training and staff development are also provided in collaboration with the Teaching Schools to ensure high standards in teaching, learning and leadership.

Positive relationships between the local authority and schools has ensured that the required level of support and intervention is provided to make sure standards continue to rise.

Provisional results indicate that Halton’s standards at the end of year six have again risen, including at the higher levels.