PERFORMANCE at Poole's secondary schools is improving almost a year after a report concluded the area's schools were among the worst in the country.

In December 2015, a report written by the chief inspector of Ofsted revealed the number of pupils attending good or outstanding secondary schools in Poole had plunged by 19 percentage points since 2014.

This placed the town 114th out of the 150 authorities assessed.

However, Bradley Simmons, regional director of Ofsted South West, has now written to the leader of Poole council to commend her on the borough's progress.

In the letter to Councillor Janet Walton, Mr Simmons said: "I wrote to you this time last year to express my serious concerns about the performance of schools under Poole council.

"It is only right that I should now congratulate you on the improved results attained by pupils attending your schools in 2016.

"At almost every key stage, Poole schools have performed above national levels. Most significantly and pleasingly, at key stage two, your schools have pulled their performance up this year, from the bottom of the pack in 2015, to a mid-ranking position nationally when compared with other local authorities."

The proportion of Poole pupils passing GCSEs in English and maths at grade C or better was 67.6 per cent this year, against an England figure of 62/8 per cent.

"This more consistent and sustained picture of improving achievement in Poole is testament to your hard work and that of your teams," Mr Simmons said.

"You have been resolute in addressing the issues we raised in our inspection of your school improvement service published last year.

"The last time we met, I noticed and commented on a decided culture change in Poole.

"There is much stronger evidence than in the past of all stakeholders working together, of mutual challenge and accountability.

"I know you are not satisfied with outcomes as they stand; you want to continue to do better. I agree and I look forward to ongoing and sustained improvements in the educational outcomes and life chances for children and young people in Poole."

Councillor Mike White, cabinet portfolio holder for children, young people and capital projects, said: “It's good to know that such hard work and dedication from pupils and teachers, led by heads and governors, along with everyone involved in education in Poole, has been recognised.

"However, we still have much more to do. We want all our schools to be good or outstanding, and we want to be well above the national average at all key stages.

"We will continue to work hard with all our schools and partners to fulfil the aspirations and ambitions we have for our children and young people here in Poole.”