Schools blamed for ranking fall (From Witney Gazette)

Schools blamed for ranking fall

9:40am Thursday 7th February 2008 in Headlines By Reg Little

OXFORDSHIRE County Council has dropped a ranking star after the latest assessment by the Audit Commission.

County Hall has dropped from four stars to three stars, with the performance of schools being blamed.

The Audit Commission judged the rate of improvement in the county's schools to be too slow.

Council leader Keith Mitchell said: "My two feelings are disappointment that we have not done better on the attainment issue and determination to improve our performance for our children and get our star back double quick.

"Educational attainment is vital to our children and we were conscious before this inspection that many Oxfordshire schools are not yet doing well enough."