Flying high: Stockton-on-Tees schools top the North East class

As the academic year draws to a close, 98 per cent of the Borough's primary school pupils are attending a school rated "good" or "outstanding" by Ofsted.

The corresponding figure for secondary schools is 86 per cent - both are the highest of any North East local authority area.

It follows confirmation earlier this year that GCSE results from Stockton-on-Tees students were the best in the region.

Councillor Lisa Evans, Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council's Cabinet Member for Children and Young People, said: "Of course, many of our school children have been at home since March, and for many of them it's been an incredibly challenging time.

"I hope pupils can take heart knowing that come September they will be going back to truly excellent schools with hard-working and talented staff. I'm so proud of all the staff and pupils at our schools, and of the parents, carers and governors who support them.

"Lots of hard work is going on to ensure schools remain a safe environment and schools will feel very different, but one thing that has not changed is the high level of ambition we have for all of our children and young people.

"Of course, we know that Ofsted ratings are just one measure of a school's success. We are far from complacent and we will continue to do all that we can to help the Borough's schools, and the children and young people who attend them, succeed.

"And this comes at a time when we're investing £52 million in transforming school buildings across the Borough."

Councillor Evans added: "I think the key to this success is that we work closely with our schools, regardless of whether they are academies, Diocesan schools, free schools, or council maintained.

"We keep a clear focus on what's most important, and that's the education of our young people. In some parts of the country there isn't such a united approach but everyone pulls together here in Stockton-on-Tees with a collective determination to succeed."