FEWER eleven-year-olds in Dorset schools achieve the expected standards in reading, writing and maths than any other area in the south west.

Latest figures reveal that just 57 per cent of pupils in schools in the Dorset County Council area meet the targets, putting it in last place of the 15 local authority areas in the region.

The Ofsted chief for the area has called on the authority to look at the success of schools in Bournemouth and Poole.

Pupils in Bournemouth are in second place with 62 per cent and those in Poole are in 10th place at 59 per cent.

The figures were revealed in Ofsted’s Education, Children’s Services and Skills annual report.

Ofsted’s south west regional director Bradly Simmons said: “I’m really pleased with the work that is going on in Bournemouth and Poole.

“Bournemouth has seen improvements for 16-year-olds in their attainment and progress. We’re seeing similarly strong performances in Poole schools.

“It’s particularly pleasing to see improvement at the primary level in Poole. They are working hard to keep on improving and enhancing the education for children.”

“Dorset is an area of real worry for me.

“The start for six-year-olds is positive, but we’re seeing a drop off and the results for the 11-year-olds are the lowest in the region.

“They are also considerably below the levels of other local authorities like Devon.”

Mr Simmons said just 20 per cent of 16 year olds in Dorset schools achieved the English Baccalaureate - a grade C or above in English, maths, science, history or geography and a language - was disappointing.

“Dorset needs to look to Bournemouth and Poole.

“Historically Dorset has been quite defensive in terms of its performance. They are not doing enough for these children.”

The report also reveals that 92 per cent of primary schools in the Bournemouth and Poole areas are judged to be good or outstanding compared with just 85 per cent in Dorset.

Secondary schools figures are 91 per cent in Bournemouth, 78 per cent in Poole and 77 per cent in Dorset.

Cllr Deborah Croney, Cabinet member for Economy, Education, Learning and Skills at Dorset County Council said:"We acknowledge that these performance figures from OfSTED are obviously not where we would want to be and this year have not reached previous highs.

"We are working hard with schools across Dorset to support improvement in the attainment of pupils and the OfSTED ratings following inspections.

"We have a major initiative underway to promote school effectiveness through the sharing of teaching expertise and talent between schools. "There is already much to be proud of in Dorset Schools that does not necessarily show in OfSTED’s statistics.

Across the region 94 per cent of childminders are good or outstanding, as are 94 per cent of further education and skills providers.

“Parents in the south west will be pleased to know that the proportion of good or better primary schools remains strong in comparison with other parts of the country,” Mr Simmons added.

“The picture for secondary schools is less positive. A persistent concern is the underachievement of children from poor backgrounds and children looked after across all key stages.

“For schools, it is essential that the best reach out to support less successful counterparts to develop better practice and outcomes for pupils”