TOO many secondary schools in England are not improving, leading to a widening gap in performance with primary schools, according to the annual report published by government inspection body Ofsted.

In 2013-14 the proportion of primary schools rated good or outstanding increased to 82 per cent from 78 per cent while the figure for secondary schools stagnated at 71 per cent.

Ofsted cited factors including poor and inconsistent school leadership, ineffective middle management, too much low-level disruption in classrooms, a failure to challenge the most able students and weak governance for the lack of improvement. Primary schools that were doing well often focused on basics such as quality leadership, good attendance and behaviours, effective governance and narrowing the gap between those who receive free schools meals and other pupils, Ofsted said.

The head of Ofsted, Sir Michael Wilshaw, said that while primary schools have continued on an upward trajectory, weaker secondary schools were “not improving at the same rate” and too many were “declining”.

He called for a move away from the debate about school structures “and towards a sharper focus on what works in all schools, regardless of their model or status”.

“The essential ingredients for success are no secret and have been well documented from time immemorial: strong leadership, a positive and orderly culture, good teaching and robust assessment systems.”

“The need for effective oversight was more important than ever in an increasingly autonomous education system where schools have greater freedom than ever,” he said.

He also expressed concern about the declining numbers joining the teaching profession.

“More teachers will be needed to match the substantial increase in the number of school-aged children expected over the next 10 years. We also face a major challenge getting the best teachers into the right schools,” he said.