THE latest Ofsted data on the standards of schools in the Cotswolds has been welcomed by Cotswolds MP Geoffrey Clifton-Brown.

Information from Ofsted shows that the 88 per cent of schools were judged to be good or outstanding in the constituency, compared to the national figure of 83 per cent.

At Key Stage 2, 84 per cent of pupils had a Level 4+ ability in reading, writing and maths, compared to the England figure of 79 per cent, and at Key Stage 4, 65 per cent of pupils received five or more A*-C GCSEs including English and maths, compared to the England figure of 56.8 per cent.

Commenting on these figures Mr Clifton-Brown said: “It is great news that the Cotswolds ranks above the national average for good and outstanding schools. I visit schools throughout the constituency on a regular basis and am always impressed by the excellent service provided by teachers and staff. Due to the historical unfairness in school funding, something which I continue to campaign on as part of the F40 Group, providing these services is even more difficult and the schools in my constituency do a wonderful job.”