More than nine in ten pupils in Essex now attend schools rated as good or outstanding, according to the latest statistics.

Some 91.2 per cent of primary and secondary pupils go to a school with one of the top Ofsted ratings, compared with 84.3 per cent in 2015 and 71 per cent in 2013.

The improvements are particularly noticeable at secondary level, with 95 per cent of pupils in Essex now attending a good or outstanding school – significantly above the national average of 80 per cent.

At primary level, 88.2 per cent of pupils go to good or outstanding schools – broadly in line with the national average of 88.5 per cent.

Since February, all 19 of the county’s special schools have also been rated as good or outstanding.

Cllr Ray Gooding, Essex County Council’s Cabinet member for Education and Lifelong Learning, said: “2015/16 was another fantastic academic year for schools in Essex. I would like to congratulate staff, governors and pupils on their achievements and the excellent progress being made.

“As a council we are committed to ensuring all young people in Essex receive the best possible education and I am delighted we are in a position where more than nine in ten pupils now attend a good or outstanding school.

“Moving forward, we will continue to work closely with schools, headteacher associations and other partners to strive for further improvements.”

The continued progress in Essex comes with Essex County Council encouraging schools to work more collaboratively through its championing of a school-led improvement model.

It is hoped that by summer 2018 all Essex schools will belong to a cluster of schools, working closely together to drive further improvements.